Data from: Do green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) change color in response to their backgrounds?
Data files
Mar 12, 2025 version files 1.87 MB
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DRYAD_-_Background_Paper_and_Flower_Spectral_Data.xlsx
37.23 KB
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DRYAD_-_Green_Lynx_Experiment_Data.xlsx
42.73 KB
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DRYAD_-_Green_Lynx_Raw_Spectral_Data.xlsx
1.78 MB
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README.md
18.33 KB
Abstract
For animals that traverse patchy or dynamic backgrounds, morphological color change can help to stay hidden from predators and prey. The green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) is a sit-and-wait predator that hunts pollinators and other insects among vegetation. In the field, they are often bright green with variable patterns of white, red, orange, yellow, and purple, and individuals often appear well-matched to their backgrounds. A previous study that relied on human observers to assess color suggested these spiders can shift their body colors to match their surroundings. Our goal was to replicate this work using modern reflectance spectrophotometry to quantify spider colors. Across two experiments (in different years), we collected adult female spiders and assigned them to three differently colored backgrounds in the lab. Unexpectedly, we found no evidence that the spiders in our study shifted their colors to match their backgrounds. However, exploratory analyses revealed that color change did occur, just not as expected, and was likely related to senescence, diet, body condition, or some combination. We discuss these findings in the context of previous work and suggest that the complex nature of color change in this species makes them promising candidates to provide novel insights for the field.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Title of Dataset: Do green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) change color in response to their backgrounds?
2. Author contact information:
a. Name: Michael E. Vickers (corresponding author)
Institution: University of the Free State, University of Florida
Email: vickers.me@ufs.ac.za, vickersmichael9@gmail.com
b. Name: Madison L. Heisey
Institution: University of Florida
Email: mheisey@ufl.edu
c. Name: Lisa A. Taylor
Institution: University of Florida
Email: lisa.taylor@ufl.edu, lisa.anne.taylor@gmail.com
DATA & FILE OVERVIEW
This dataset contains three Excel files entitled:
1. “DRYAD – Green Lynx Experiment Data”
2. “DRYAD – Green Lynx Raw Spectral Data”
3. “DRYAD – Background Paper and Flower Spectral Data”
METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
For all methodological details of data collection and funding sources see the following manuscript:
Vickers, M. E., Heisey, M. L., & Taylor, L. A. 2025. Do green lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) change color in response to their backgrounds? Ethology. e13558.
The data contained in these datasets can be used to replicate all analyses that are detailed in the above manuscript.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
1. The excel file, DRYAD – Green Lynx Experiment Data contains four sheets in total with two sheets for Experiment 1 yellow marked tabs) and two sheets for Experiment 2 (green marked tabs). All column headings clearly describe the contents of the columns and allow one to fully replicate the analyses described in the manuscript.
The sheet labelled “Exp 1 – Collection Info” has the following columns:
A) Spider ID: Used as an identifier for each spider in Experiment 1. These numbers are arbitrary and are assigned during collection, before spiders are entered into an experiment.
B) Collection Date: Date (MM/DD/YYYY) the spider was collected from the field.
C) Treatment Color: The color treatment spiders were assigned to at the beginning of the experiment.
D) Treatment Start Date: Date spiders started in the experiment (i.e., the date they were first housed on their assigned color treatment).
E) Treatment End Date: Date spiders ended time spent within color treatment (i.e., the date their time in the experimental pipeline ended).
The sheet labelled “Exp 1 – Research Data” has the following columns. Note that the color calculations described below are calculated using the raw data found in the excel file “DRYAD – Green Lynx Raw Spectral Data”
A) Spider ID: Used as an identifier for each spider in Experiment 1. These numbers are arbitrary and are assigned during collection, before spiders are entered into an experiment.
B) Treatment Color: The color treatment spiders were assigned to at the beginning of the experiment.
C) Day 0 Carapace Brightness: The mean reflectance of the carapace across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
D) Day 0 Carapace Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
E) Day 0 Carapace Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
F) Day 45 Carapace Brightness: The mean reflectance of the carapace across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
G) Day 45 Carapace Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
H) Day 45 Carapace Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
I) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the dorsal abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
J) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
K) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
L) Day 45 Dorsal Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the dorsal abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
M) Day 45 Dorsal Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
N) Day 45 Dorsal Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
O) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the lateral abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
P) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
Q) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0).
R) Day 45 Lateral Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the lateral abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
S) Day 45 Lateral Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
T) Day 45 Lateral Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 45).
The sheet labelled “Exp 2 – Collection Info” has the following columns:
A) Spider ID: Used as an identifier for each spider in Experiment 2. These numbers are arbitrary and are assigned during collection, before spiders are entered into an experiment.
B) Collection Date: Date (MM/DD/YYYY) the spider was collected from the field.
C) Treatment Color: The color treatment spiders were assigned to at the beginning of the experiment.
D) Treatment Start Date: Date spiders started in the experiment (i.e., the date they were first housed on their assigned color treatment).
E) Treatment End Date: Date spiders ended time spent within color treatment (i.e., the date their time in the experimental pipeline ended).
F) Days between cricket diet change (11/23/2022) and end of treatment: The total number of days that elapsed between the date the spiders’ diet switched from flies to crickets and the treatment end date.
G) Egg sac laid during experiment (Yes/No): Indicates whether or not an egg sac was laid while the spider was in the experimental pipeline.
H) Egg sac date (if laid). If no egg sac, cell is left blank: Whether or not the spider laid an egg sac while in the experimental pipeline. If an egg sac was laid a date is provided, but if no egg sac was laid the cell is blank.
I) Time between egg laying and final color measurement (days). If no egg sac, cell is left blank: If an egg sac was laid, this value is the total number of days between the date the spider laid an egg sac and the treatment end date. For spiders that did not lay an egg sac, the cell is blank. A zero indicates the spider laid an egg sac on the same date as the end of the color treatment date.
The sheet labelled “Exp 2 – Research Data” has the following columns. Note that the color calculations described below are calculated using the raw data found in the excel file “DRYAD – Green Lynx Raw Spectral Data”
A) Spider ID: Used as an identifier for each spider in Experiment 2. These numbers are arbitrary and are assigned during collection, before spiders are entered into an experiment.
B) Treatment Color: The color treatment the spider was assigned to at the beginning of the experiment.
C) Carapace Width (mm): Measurement value, in millimeters, of the carapace of each spider.
D) Day 0 Abdominal Area (mm^2): Abdominal area value, measured in millimeters squared, of the spider at the start of Experiment 2 (Day 0).
E) Day 16 Abdominal Area (mm^2): Abdominal area value, measured in millimeters squared, of the spider at the end of Experiment 2 (Day 16).
F) Day 0 Body Condition: Value calculated by taking the regression of the carapace width (mm) and the abdominal area (mm^2) at the start of Experiment 2 (Day 0).
G) Day 16 Body Condition: Value calculated by taking the regression of the carapace width (mm) and the abdominal area (mm^2) at the end of Experiment 2 (Day 16).
H) Day 0 Carapace Brightness: The mean reflectance of the carapace across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
I) Day 0 Carapace Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
J) Day 0 Carapace Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
K) Day 16 Carapace Brightness: The mean reflectance of the carapace across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
L) Day 16 Carapace Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
M) Day 16 Carapace Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
N) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the dorsal abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
O) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
P) Day 0 Dorsal Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
Q) Day 16 Dorsal Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the dorsal abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
R) Day 16 Dorsal Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
S) Day 16 Dorsal Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
T) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the lateral abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
U) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
V) Day 0 Lateral Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the start of the color treatment (Day 0) in Experiment 2.
W) Day 16 Lateral Abdomen Brightness: The mean reflectance of the lateral abdomen across the visible spectrum of 280-700 nm. This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
X) Day 16 Lateral Abdomen Green Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 500-600 nm (“green”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
Y) Day 16 Lateral Abdomen Red Chroma: This value is calculated by taking the sum of spectral values within the 660-700 nm (“red”) range and dividing it by the total brightness value (total of the values from 280-700 nm). This value is at the end of the color treatment (Day 16) in Experiment 2.
2. The excel file, DRYAD – Green Lynx Raw Spectral Data contains 12 sheets in total with six sheets for Experiment 1 (yellow marked tabs) and six sheets for Experiment 2 (green marked tabs). Each sheet is titled with the Experiment number (1 or 2), the day that the measurement data were taken (between 0 and 45 for Experiment 1; between 0 and 16 for Experiment 2), and the location on the spider where the spectral reading was taken (carapace, dorsal abdomen, lateral abdomen). Within each sheet, Colum A contains wavelengths (280-700nm), and each of the subsequent columns have spectral reflectance data (% reflectance relative to white standard) corresponding to those wavelengths for individual spiders. Each column is labelled with an individual spider ID number (see row 1).
3. The excel file, DRYAD – Background Paper and Flower Spectral Data contains 1 sheet in total. The first column indicates the wavelength (nm), and each subsequent column contains spectral data with spectral reflectance data (% reflectance relative to a white standard). Each column is labelled with either a background paper color (green paper, orange paper, purple paper, red paper) or artificial flower color (green flower, orange, flower, purple flower). This data was used to generate “Supplementary Figure 1” found in the supplementary materials.
The following columns are found within the excel file:
A) Wavelength (nanometers): this column indicates the wavelengths that range from 280-700 nm.
B) Green Paper: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for the green paper.
C) Orange Paper: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for the orange paper.
D) Purple Paper: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for the purple paper.
E) Red Paper: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for the red paper.
F) Green Flower: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for green flowers.
G) Orange Flower: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for orange flowers.
H) Purple Flower: this column contains reflectance values that corresponds to the wavelength range of 280-700 nm found in Column A for purple flowers.