Notes on the social structure, life cycle, and behavior of Anelosimus rupununi

Abstract:

Observations on the colony structure, life cycle, and behavior of Anelosimus rupununi in eastern Ecuador point to a level of social organization similar to that of Anelosimus eximus and Anelosimus domingo, confirming its status as a non-territorial, permanently-social species. Anelosimus rupununi colony members were seen to cooperate in prey capture and transport, to feed communally, and to take turns in tending the egg sacs. Sex ratios were also highly female-biased. There were, however, some interesting differences with these other species. Anelosimus rupununi egg sacs were grouped as part of maternal care efforts, with grouped sacs being more likely to be tended than ungrouped sacs. Males and females apparently matured at the same instar, males appeared shorter-lived than females, and individuals within the nests were clearly synchronized with each other in the stage of their life cycle. Also, as would be expected from its notably smaller body size, A. rupununi's life cycle appeared shorter than that of A. eximius.

Año de publicación:

1999

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus