Tales of adaptation: predatory and anti-predatory strategies of spiders on the surface of tree trunks

Abstract

In this thesis I have studied three phylogenetically independent cases of spiders that are permanent residents of this habitat. Considerable previous work on tree trunks has focused on the diversity of the inhabiting species while ecological strategies, specifically the predatory and anti-predatory strategies of tree-trunk spiders have seen much less attention. The particular questions that drove my research for this thesis were 1) how do spiders that permanently occupy tree trunks access sufficient prey? And 2) how do they avoid visually guided predators in this highly exposed environment? This thesis, not only describes the unusual natural history traits of spider residents of tree trunks but highlights novel strategies that seemingly provide great benefits in this challenging habitat. The relationship between the tree trunk habitat and the species inhabiting them is intricate and intriguing. These spiders have been shown as highly specialised in reducing detection and in capturing prey effectively. Clearly, spider camouflage is likely to aid both their predatory and anti- predatory strategies but seems more complex than assumed and deserves closer attention expanding previously well-studied systems whilst also discovering novel strategies.