Agelenids of the World

Systematics and Taxonomy of Agelenidae, a Worldwide distributed Spider Family

Supercooling and its ecological implications in Coelotes atropos (Araneae, Agelenidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1992
Authors:K. M. Catley
Journal:Journal of Arachnology
Volume:20
Pagination:58-63
Date Published:1992
ISBN Number:0161-8202
Keywords:[Development / / Ontogenetic changes in supercooling ability] [Habitat, & ecological implications]., Biometrics, changes] [Wales / / Dyfed, Coelotes atropos (Araneae)., Coelotes atropos [Age / / Supercooling ability relationship, Cold tolerance & supercooling, cycle / / Strategy, ecological, ecological significance] [Life, Ecology, Eurasia, Europe, implications of supercooling ability ontogenesis], implications] [Weight / / ] [Temperature relationships / /, Land zones, Life cycle and development, life strategy, Palaearctic region, Supercooling & low temperature tolerance, United Kingdom, utilization / / Implications of supercooling ability ontogenetic, Whole animal physiology
Abstract:

Field observations have shown Coelotes atropos to be winter-active and tolerant of a wide environmental gradient. This study suggest that low temperature tolerance is achieved by a combination of behavioral thermoregulation and physiological adaptation. It was found that the two populations studied, one living at 732 m elevation and the other at sea level, were not significantly different in their ability to supercool. However, a highly significant relationship between body weight and ability to supercool was demonstrated such that immature stages are far more tolerant of low temperatures than adults. Juvenile spiders were not only able to tolerate sub-zero temperatures, but also demonstrated an ability to cold acclimate. They were active in the supercooled state and capable of silk production at -5.degree. C. Mechanisms which may account for the loss of supercooling ability are discussed as well as the implications of such a change for habitat utilization and life cycle strategy.

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