Sensory system plasticity in a visually specialized, nocturnal spider.

摘要: The interplay between an animal’s environmental niche and its behavior can influence the evolutionary form function of sensory systems. While intraspecific variation in systems has been documented across distant taxa, fewer studies have investigated how changes might relate to plasticity developmental time. To investigate relationships among behavior, peripheral structures, central processing regions brain, we take advantage a dramatic within-species shift nocturnal, net-casting spider (Deinopis spinosa), where males cease visually-mediated foraging upon maturation. We compared eye diameters brain region volumes sex life stage, latter through micro-computed X-ray tomography. show that mature possess altered visual morphology when their juvenile counterparts, as well females. Matching structure modifications, uncovered differences relative investment both lower-order higher-order responsible for processing. Our study provides evidence system individuals dramatically change stages, uncovering new avenues inquiry focusing on reliance specific information entering behavioral niche.