Complexity Digest 2003.01 - 10

06-Jan-2003

The Spider And Fly Revisited: Ploy-Counterploy Behavior In A Unique Predator-Prey System, Behav. Ecology & Sociobiol. Bookmark and Share

Abstract: Observations of specialized behaviors for attack (flies) and defense (spiders) suggest that this predator-prey relationship may incorporate elements of ploy and counterploy behavior. Here we explore this relationship in detail and test hypotheses regarding efficacy of attack and defense behaviors. Egg-sac guarding by the spider includes defensive behaviors specific to this fly predator (...). Removal of female spiders results in a significantly higher probability of unguarded egg-sacs being parasitized, demonstrating the adaptive value of spider defensive behaviors. (...)) results of this study suggest that selection pressures from a highly specialized predator may also result in evolution of predator-specific prey responses.