Capture efficiency and trophic adaptations of a specialist and generalist predator: A comparison.

ABSTRACT: Specialist true predators are expected to exhibit higher capture efficiencies for the capture of larger and dangerous prey than generalist predators due to their possession of specialized morphological and behavioral adaptations. We used an araneophagous spider (Lampona murina) and a generalist spider (Drassodes lapidosus) as phylogenetically related model species and investigated their realized and fundamental trophic niches and their efficacy with respect to prey capture and prey handling. The trophic niche of both species confirmed that Lampona had a narrow trophic niche with a predominance of spider prey (including conspecifics), while the niche of Drassodes was wide, without any preference. DNA analysis of the gut contents of Lampona spiders collecte

SUBMITTER: Michalek O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5395461 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature