491.
Most orb-web spiders face downwards in the web. A downward orientation has been proposed to be the optimal strategy because
spiders run faster downwards and thus can catch prey quicker. Consequently, orb-web spiders also extend their web in the lower
part, leading to top-down web asymmetry. Since the majority of orb-web spiders face downwards, it has been difficult to test
the effect of orientation on prey capture and web asymmetry. In this study, we explored the influence of reverse orientation
on foraging efficiency and web asymmetry in
Verrucosa arenata, a neotropical orb-web spider that faces upwards in the web. We show that reverse orientation does not imply reverse web
asymmetry in this species.
V. arenata spiders captured more prey in the lower part of the web but more prey per area on the upper part. The average running speeds
of spiders did not differ between upward and downward running, but heavier spiders took longer to capture prey while running
upwards. We discuss these findings in the context of foraging efficiency and web asymmetry.
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