Cross-habitat variation in the phenology of a colonial spider: insights from a reciprocal transplant study

FERNÁNDEZ CAMPÓN, FLORENCIA

NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN

Springer

Año: 2008

0028-1042

In those species with widespread distribution, developmental traits may differ among populations found in markedly different environments. Environmental factors such as resource levels can have an effect on developmental rate, phenology and reproduction of species. Sources of variation in those traits can be genetically or environmentally induced. I examined the relationship between environmental and genetic influences on juvenile development in populations of the colonial spider, Parawixia bistriata, located at sites with different moisture regimes and associated environmental variables (e.g., prey availability). I recorded the phenology and developmental traits of native and transplanted individuals in the field. Colonies from wet versus dry sites show different phenologies. Transplant results suggest that this may reflect plasticity in instar duration. Despite differences in resources, clutch sizes of native dry and wet populations were similar. Transplants from wet to dry sites, however, showed lower growth rates and smaller clutches. Traits other than the life history parameters examined may underlie population success. Differences in foraging behaviour or resource allocation are likely targets for future studies.