INFLUENCE OF PRIOR EXPERIENCE ON PREY CONSUMPTION BEHAVIOR IN THE SPIDER ZYGIELLA-X-NOTATA

When the spider Zygiella x-notata had the opportunity to capture and s tore a prey during ingestion of a first item, it reduced it subsequent feeding time for the first prey (LEBORGNE et al. 1991). To test wheth er feeding time reduction was due either to the perception of the seco nd prey during ingestion or to events linked to its capture, the secon d item was removed after the spider resumed ingestion of the first pre y. Since feeding time on the first item was again reduced, this decrea se was due to events linked to the capture of the second prey. Memory of information on prey capture enables the spider to monitor prey avai lability in its environment.