Thermal Balance and Prey Availability: Bases for a Model Relating Web-Site Characteristics to Spider Reproductive Success

摘要: Analyses of the movements and web-site characteristics desert spider Agelenopsis aperta (Gertsch) demonstrate that web locations offering following habitat features are actively selected: shrubs, depressions, litter, flowering herbs. A model effects thermal environment prey avalability on reproductive success spiders occupying various types is developed. The estimated productivity for an excel- lent site (grassland depression with attractants) 13X determined a poor (lava surface). Model results suggest more energy to be obtained from selection favorable (eight-fold difference) than greater num- bers (two-fold difference). presence flowers at sites increases prob- ability receiving occasional high density, whereas litter pro- viding shade (shrubs depressions) allow increased activity through limitation body temperature.