| Popis: |
The rearing environment of an animal may have important impacts on the behavior of that animal later in life. This type of learning has been demonstrated and studied in many species, especially vertebrates. The purpose of this experiment is to study the effects of rearing environment in an invertebrate, the wolf spider Hogna helluo (Araneae, Lycosidae). Spiders were reared in four different treatments and then tested in three areas: activity level and exploratory behavior, foraging in complex environment, and foraging for novel prey. Spiders reared in large, complex environments were larger than spiders reared in small, simple environments. Spiders reared in a complex environment were more successful at foraging in a complex environment than spiders reared in simple environments. Spiders reared in small, simple environments and spiders reared on a varied diet were quicker to forage for a novel prey item. Rearing environment has complex effects on H. helluo behavior and rearing environment needs to be considered when using H. helluo as a study organism. |
