Effects of nectar feeding on cannibalism in striped lynx spiderlings Oxyopes salticus (Araneae: Oxyopidae).

The timing and nutritional value of a first meal is important for spiderlings, but little is known about what spiderlings specifically consume. For wandering spiders, nectar feeding is a common occurrence thought to be directly beneficial in providing nutrients and serving to fuel energy costly for foraging. Cannibalism is also prevalent among many spiders. We suspect in spiderlings of the cursorial species, Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845, nectar feeding could decrease cannibalism by causing satiation, or increase cannibalism by enhancing energy levels and rates of interaction. We conducted laboratory experiments to test the longevity of newly hatched O. salticus in the presence of different nutrient resources and the effect these resources had on cannibalism rates. Spiderlings were housed solitarily or in pairs and given access to different nutrient resources that reflect those available in the wild, including nectar and insect prey items (fructose, protein, and water). In a 14-day period, we recorded the number of days each spiderling was alive to determine survivorship. By the end of the experiment, 60% of spiderlings housed with fructose were still alive and 10% survived when housed with protein or water. Based on survivorship models, the predicted mean age at death differed between treatments (15.9 days for fructose, 11.2 days for protein, and 9.5 days for water). Spiderlings housed in pairs declined more rapidly in survivorship compared to solitary spiderlings, suggesting cannibalism occurred across all treatments. Fructose significantly increased longevity of spiderlings regardless of their housing and reduced cannibalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]