PREDATOR AVOIDANCE ON THE WATER SURFACE? KINEMATICS AND EFFICACY OF VERTICAL JUMPING BY DOLOMEDES (ARANEAE, PISAURIDAE)

Abstract

Vertical jumps of fishing spiders (Dolomedes sp.) from the water surface have been presumed to be evasive behaviors directed against predatory fish. We used high-speed videography to analyze the jumps of fishing spiders and then constructed a numerical model to assess the effectiveness of these jumps in evading predatory strikes by trout. Jump height (mean = 3.7 cm) and duration (mean = 0.17 sec) were similar across spider masses (0.05–0.66 g) but latency to jump increased significantly with mass. To accomplish jumps of similar height, more massive spiders had to generate more force during the propulsive phase of the jump than did smaller spiders; and the contribution of fluid drag to the total force used in jumping was substantially greater for large spiders than for smaller ones. Our model juxtaposing the jumps of spiders and the attacks of trout revealed that jump heights and durations were inadequate: only the most lethargic strikes by trout could be successfully evaded by jumping vertically from the water surface.