The Evolution of Parental Care Strategies in Spiders: Ecological and Physiological Adaptations for Ensuring Offspring Survival
Dr. Seema Virbhan Keswani
Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, M.S.P Art’s, Science and K.P.T Commerce College, Manora. Dist.Washim, Maharashtra. 444404.
E-mail ID: drseemakeswani@gmail.com
Abstract:
Parental care in spiders (Araneae) is a fascinating and diverse aspect of arachnid behavior, encompassing a range of strategies aimed at enhancing offspring survival. Unlike many invertebrates that produce numerous offspring with little to no post-oviposition involvement, several spider species have evolved intricate behaviors to protect and nurture their young ones. This care begins with the construction of protective egg sacs, which shield eggs from predation, desiccation, and environmental fluctuations. In some species, mothers go further by guarding these sacs vigilantly, fending off predators and ensuring favorable microclimatic conditions. Post-hatching care is equally remarkable. Certain species, such as those in the Lycosidae (wolf spiders) and Pisauridae (nursery web spiders) families, exhibit brood carrying, where spiderlings ride on the mother’s abdomen or cephalothorax, gaining mobility and protection. In other cases, such as in Stegodyphus (social spiders), females engage in regurgitation feeding, offering partially digested food to their offspring. Even more extreme is the phenomenon of matriphagy, observed in some species, wherein the mother sacrifices herself as a food source, ensuring the survival and nourishment of her young. Furthermore, spiders may provide indirect care by constructing nursery webs or creating secluded habitats where spiderlings can develop safely before dispersal. The extent and form of parental investment vary widely, influenced by ecological pressures, predation risks, and environmental factors. Such behaviors highlight the evolutionary significance of parental care in juvenile survival and population stability under variable environmental conditions. Overall, parental care in spiders represents a remarkable convergence of survival strategies, reflecting both ancestral traits and adaptive innovations in response to environmental pressures. This diverse spectrum of behaviors not only enhances offspring fitness but also provides critical insights into the evolution of sociality and reproductive investment in arachnids.
Key Words: Parental Care, Spiders, Araneae, Matriphagy
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2504I5VXIIIP0043
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