Seasonal population dynamics of a specialized termite-eating spider (Araneae: Ammoxenidae) and its prey (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae)

摘要: Abstract Specialized predators should be adapted spatially and temporally to the occurrence abundance of their exclusive prey. Several spider species have specialized feed on prey that is highly aggregated, including ants termites. Ammoxenus (Araneae: Ammoxenidae) are spiders specialist harvester termites in southern Africa. Epigeal were sampled by pitfall trapping from six sites Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa, over a period one year. We found amphalodes Dippenaar & Meyer, two termite species, Hodotermes mossambicus (Hagen) (Isoptera: Hodotermitidae) Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjostedt) Termitidae) abundant there. Our data show A. univoltine with wide reproductive corresponding seasonal The activity density was tightly coupled H. , but not T. . These provide further evidence monophagous true predator. However, its role as biocontrol agent against limited due an insufficient numerical response.