Seasonal reversal of competitive advantage between two spider species

Abstract

To test for inter- and intraspecific competition between two common orb-weaving spiders, Metepeira grinnelli and Cyclosa turbinata, I conducted separate field experiments in the spring and summer. During the spring experiment, the prey-consumption rate of Metepeira was reduced at higher inter- and intraspecific densities, but Cyclosa was only affected by intraspecific density. During the summer experiment, Metepeira prey-consumption was not affected by inter- or intraspecific densities, while Cyclosa was affected by both inter- and intraspecific densities. In addition to competition for food, during the spring experiment Cyclosa was observed displacing Metepeira but not vice versa, whereas during the summer experiment Metepeira displaced Cyclosa but not vice versa. The seasonal reversal in the competitive advantage between the species was linked to their asynchronous phenologies; in the spring most Cyclosa were larger than Metepeira, whereas in the summer most Metepeira were larger than Cyclosa. I suggest that in this system, temporal variability in the competitive abilities may promote species coexistence.