Relation between habitat structure and development of the glandulae ampullaceae in eight wolf spider species (Pardosa, Araneae, Lycosidae)

Abstract

In eight Pardosa species studied there is a correlation between the structure of the habitat in which the species live, the quantity of silk (drag-lines) produced, the plane in which the silk is spun and the degree of development of the silk glands (the gl. ampullaceae). In general, species living in field-type vegetation have large gl. ampullaceae, produce large quantities of silk and spin proportionally more silk in the vertical plane, while the converse is true for species from open-ground type vegetation.