2003/01/01 by William G. Eberhard · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
paper · doi:10.1163/156853903770238346
openalex publication_date 2003/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Abstract The matching form and orientation of egg sacs and spiders, the match between egg sac color and that of the spider, ontogenetic changes in spider coloration that occur when egg sacs begin to be produced, differences in the positions of the spiders' legs during the day and at night, and coordinated changes in spider and egg sac colors in different populations all indicated that the egg sac and detritus stabilimenta near the hub function as camouflage in Allocyclosa bifurca. Silk stabilimentum construction was induced by experimental removal of egg sac stabilimenta, and was inhibited by addition of egg sacs. This implies that silk stabilimenta also function as camouflage devices.