Iterative Evolution of Increased Behavioral Variation Characterizes the Transition to Sociality in Spiders and Proves Advantageous

摘要: AbstractThe evolution of group living is regarded as a major evolutionary transition and commonly met with correlated shifts in ancillary characters. We tested for associations between social tendency myriad abiotic variables (e.g., temperature precipitation) behavioral traits boldness, activity level, aggression) clade spiders that exhibit highly variable structures (genus Anelosimus). found that, relative to their subsocial relatives, species tended reduced aggressiveness toward prey, increased fearfulness predators, levels, they occur warm, wet habitats low average wind velocities. Within-species variation boldness was also positively associated sociality. then assessed the functional consequences within-species trait on reconstituted colonies four test (Anelosimus eximius, Anelosimus rupununi, guacamayos, or...