Direct Evidence of Food Limitation for Growth Rate and Body Size in the Spider Nephila clavata

Abstract

Growth process of the spider Nephila clavata was obtained under three different feeding conditions by rearing in field cages. Amount of food supply greatly influenced rate of growth and body size. The mean body size in three natural populations were variable, but within the range of the two extreme feeding conditions, indicating food limitation as well as flexibility of growth process in this species. © 1991, Arachnological Society of Japan. All rights reserved.