Implications of microhabitat selection on prey capture for the web spider Neriene radiata (Walckenaer) (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Recent studies concerned with the ecology of web-building spiders found that specific differences in web structure (see Foelix, 1992 for a summary), spatial distribution (e.g. Enders, 1974; Pasquet, 1984; Ward & Lubin, 1992; Herberstein, 1997a), temporal activity period (e.g. Ward & Lubin, 1992; Herberstein & Elgar, 1994) and species-specific attack behaviour (e.g. Vasconcellos-Neto & Lewinsohn, 1984; Nentwig, 1987) result in the utilization of different prey resources (Enders, 1974; Uetz et al., 1978; Brown, 1981; McReynolds & Polis, 1987; Eberhard, 1990; see Wise, 1993 for a summary). However, it is difficult to isolate which particular parameter (distribution, behaviour, web structure, etc.) is responsible for the observed differences. This could be overcome by observing single spider species that occupy distinct microhabitats. If only one species is examined, additional sources of variation, such as specific web structure, activity period, or attack behaviour, can be expected to be minimal. The present study is concerned with the prey captured by the sheet web spider Neriene radiata (Walckenaer) that placed its webs on two very different vegetation types: young fir trees and the surrounding understorey vegetation (Herberstein, 1995, 1997a), allowing a rare insight into the effect of microhabitat choice on prey capture. The results presented here should be considered a continuation of previously published results on the niche parameters of N. radiata in comparison with two other linyphiid species Frontinellina frutetorum (C. L. Koch) and Linyphia triangularis (Clerck), that also occur in the same habitat (Herberstein, 1997a). Implications of microhabitat selection on prey capture for the web spider Neriene radiata (Walckenaer) (Araneae: Linyphiidae)