Prey-capture techniques and prey preferences of Zenodorus durvillei, Z-metallescens and Z-orbiculatus, tropical ant-eating jumping spiders (Araneae :Salticidae) from Australia

Capture techniques and preferences of Zenodorus durvillei (Walckenaer), Z. metallescens (L. Koch) and Z. orbiculatus, Australian salticids that feed o n ants in nature, were studied in the laboratory using a wide variety of an ts and other insects. Each species adopted three prey-capture modes: ambush , active pursuit in the open, and gleaning from spider webs. Large ants wer e sometimes stabbed several times before holding on. A variety of methods w ere used for testing preference. The potential of using this assortment of methods for assessing strength of preferences is discussed. Each species to ok dolichoderine, formicine, myrmecine, myrmicine and pseudomyrmecine ants in preference to a variety of other insects (aphids, bugs, caterpillars, cr ickets, flies, lacewings, mantises, mayflies, midges, mosquitoes, moths, pl ant and leaf hoppers, and termites). Testing with laboratory-reared spiders showed that the development of preference for ants and ant-specific prey-c apture behaviour did not depend on prior experience with ants. Tests with d ead, motionless lures showed that each species could distinguish between an ts and other types of prey independent of the different movement patterns o f the prey. Preferences were intact after 7-day and 14-day fasts, but not a fter 21-day fasts when prey were outside webs. When prey were in webs, pref erence for ants persisted even after 21-day fasts. Findings are discussed i n relation to other studies on specialised salticids and in relation to the structure and function of the salticid eye.