Data from: Conspicuous stripes on prey capture attention and reduce attacks by foraging jumping spiders
Data files
Nov 08, 2023 version files 23.79 KB
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DRYAD_Gawel_et_al_striped_termites_2023.xlsx
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README.md
Abstract
Many animals avoid predation using aposematic displays that pair toxic/dangerous defenses with conspicuous achromatic warning patterns, such as high-contrast stripes. To understand how these prey defenses work, we need to understand the decision-making of visual predators. Here we gave two species of jumping spiders (Phidippus regius and Habronattus trimaculatus) choice tests using live termites that had their back patterns manipulated using paper capes (solid white, solid black, striped). For P. regius, black and striped termites were quicker to capture attention. Yet despite this increased attention, striped termites were attacked at lower rates than either white or black. This suggests that the termite’s contrast with the background elicits attention, but the internal striped body patterning reduces attacks. Results from tests with H. trimaculatus were qualitatively similar but did not meet the threshold for statistical significance. Additional exploratory analyses suggest that attention to and aversion to stripes is at least partially innate and provide further insight into how decision-making played out during trials. Because of their rich diversity (over 6500 species) that includes variation in natural history, toxin susceptibility, degree of color vision, and dietary specialization, jumping spiders are well-suited to test broad generalizations about how and why aposematic displays work.
README
- Title of Dataset: Conspicuous stripes on prey capture attention and reduce attacks by foraging jumping spiders
- Author contact information <br> A. Name: Lauren Gawel Institution: University of Florida (former undergraduate student) Email: gawel.lauren@gmail.com <br> B. Name: Erin Powell Institutions: University of Florida, Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Email: erin.powell94@gmail.com <br> C. Name: Michelle Brock (former undergraduate student) Institution: University of Florida Email: mbrock333@gmail.com <br> D. Name: Lisa A Taylor (corresponding author) Institution: University of Florida Email: lisa.taylor@ufl.edu, lisa.anne.taylor@gmail.com
DATA & FILE OVERVIEW
This dataset contains a single Excel file only, entitled DRYAD_Gawel_et_al_striped_termites_2023.xlsx.
METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
For all methodological details of data collection and funding sources see the following manuscript:
Gawel L, Powell E, Brock M, Taylor LA. Conspicuous stripes on prey capture attention and reduce attacks by foraging jumping spiders. Royal Society Open Science.
The data contained in this dataset can be used to replicate all analyses that are detailed in the above manuscript.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
The Excel file (DRYAD_Gawel_et_al_striped_termites_2023.xlsx) contains two sheets. For both sheets, all of the column headings clearly describe the contents of the column, and allow one to fully replicate the analyses described in the manuscript. Additional details are provided below for added clarity.
The first sheet, entitled "Prey_choice_tests_w_termites" contains the data from our choice tests where we presented jumping spiders (Phidippus regius and Habronattus trimaculatus) with different types of pattern-manipulated termites. This was the primary focus of the above manuscript. This sheet contains the following variables:
- Spider ID: The spider ID numbers are arbitrary and are assigned to every spider that we collect. The few ID numbers that appear to be missing are from spiders that never entered this experiment - for example, because they were collected at the same time as the others but died before being assigned to an experiment or because they were set aside to use in pilot tests or for other experiments going on in our lab at the time
- Species: This is the spider species tested
- Trial outcome: This column indicated whether an attack occurred during the trial, whether the spider only oriented (without an attack), or whether there was no orientation or attack
- Field-collected or lab-raised: Indicates whether the test spider was field-collected or lab-raised
- Spider size class (total body length to nearest mm): This is the size estimate of the test spider on the day of their test. Note that data is missing for one individual (Spider ID #15) - as noted in the Notes column, this data was not recorded.
- Spider sex: indicates if the test spiders was immature, adult male, or adult female on the day of their test
- Color of first termite oriented to: This is the color of termite that the test spider first oriented to (black, white or striped). If there was no orientation, the cell reads n/a. In one case (Spider ID 47), there was no clear data on which color was first oriented to - in this case, the cell reads n/a and a note of explanation is included in the Notes column.
- Color of first termite attacked: This is the color of termite that the test spider first attacked (black, white, or striped). If there was no attack, the cell reads n/a.
- Was color first oriented to the same color as attacked? If there was no attack in the trial, the cell reads n/a.
- Location of attack on termite body. This data was collected for the P. regius spiders only (see manuscript for details). As such, the cells for T. trimaculatus read n/a. In one case, there is missing data for a P. regius (Spider ID 47) - in this case, the cell reads n/a and a note of explanation is included in the Notes column.
- Notes: Notes are included here if any additional information is needed (there are only two entries in this column)
- Date of collection: This is the date that the test spider was collected.
- Time (days) in captivity between collection and testing: This is only applicable to the spiders that were field-collected. For lab-raised spiders, the celld read 'Not applicable (lab-raised)'.
The second sheet, entitled "Termite_movement" includes the data collected to assess whether our termite treatments (adhering paper capes to termites) influenced their movement rates.
- termite treatment (black, white, striped, uncaped): this indicates the color of the cape that was put on the test termite (black, white, or striped) or whether the test termite had no cape (uncaped)
- time spent moving (total seconds out of 2 minute trials): this is the total time the test termite spent moving (see manuscript for additional details)
Methods
All data collection methods are described in the associated manuscript.