Cooperative prey capture by young subsocial spiders

摘要: Matriphagous young of a subsocial spider Amaurobius ferox exhibit collective predation during their post-maternal social period. In this paper, we examine functional mechanisms by sibling groups. Predation efficiency increased with increasing number individuals within each group. Solitary or paired were generally unable to capture 20 mg cricket. larger groups, more participated and captured the prey quickly. Some siblings did not take part in paralyzing prey, but later consumed it. The proportion these profiteers group size. Presented different sizes (1, 5, 40 mg), most aggressive towards other when predating on 5 prey. Prey size could be single individual yet sufficiently large for than one eat. Siblings much less another which require assistance capture. By providing same mass numbers (a cricket first-instar crickets), tested influence cooperation We found no difference development period nor timing dispersal body dispersing individuals. conclude that animal cooperative hunting after mother's death.