Prey or protection? Access to food alters individual responses to competition in black widow spiders.

ABSTRACT: Animals influence the phenotype and reproductive success of their conspecifics through competitive interactions. Such effects of competition can alter the intensity of selection and ultimately change the rate of evolution. However, the magnitude of the effects of competition, and their evolutionary impact, should vary depending on environmental conditions and individual responses among competitors. We tested whether a key environmental variable, resource availability, affects the response to competition in black widow spiders by manipulating access to prey and the level of competition. We examined if focal spiders modify their web structure and aggressiveness towards prey stimuli when a competitor is present, and whether these responses depend on prior prey access. We also tested if any ef

SUBMITTER: Ratz T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11851065 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature