Deception in the Animal Kingdom

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Questions and Answers

What is the suspected effect of the spider's venom on fireflies?

  • It makes them more alert to danger.
  • It causes them to flash more frequently.
  • It enhances their flashing behavior.
  • It disrupts their oxygen supply. (correct)

What behavioral change occurs in male fireflies in the presence of a spider, according to the findings?

  • They begin to fly toward the spider.
  • They make one flash due to stress. (correct)
  • They stop flashing altogether.
  • They flash in a rapid sequence to confuse the spider.

What hypothesis is proposed regarding the spider's interaction with fireflies?

  • The spider's presence increases the fireflies' awareness.
  • The spider uses its legs to pressure the fireflies' nerves. (correct)
  • The spider catches fireflies by creating light.
  • The spider emits a toxin that paralyzes the fireflies.

Which publication revealed the scientists' findings about the spider's effect on fireflies?

<p>Current Biology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ongoing research do the scientists plan to pursue?

<p>Searching for similar behavior in other animals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unique strategy does the orb-weaver spider Araneus ventricosus use to catch prey?

<p>It mimics the flashing signals of male fireflies to attract them. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of fireflies are caught more frequently by the orb-weaver spider's webs?

<p>Male fireflies emitting single flashes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did researchers find about the male fireflies once they were trapped in the spider's web?

<p>They reverted to their original multi-flash pattern after recovery. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the study, which experimental group was most effective in trapping fireflies?

<p>Group with both male firefly and spider present. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the silk used by orb-weaver spiders on captured fireflies?

<p>Fireflies are wrapped in a light layer of silk to keep their flashes visible. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Araneus ventricosus spider primarily found?

<p>In Asia, specifically in China, Japan, and Korea. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mating communication pattern between male and female fireflies?

<p>Males emit two flashes while females emit a single flash. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one area researchers are uncertain about regarding the spiders' interaction with fireflies?

<p>How the spiders manipulate the fireflies' flashing signals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Spider Venom's Effect on Firefly Flashing

Spider venom can disrupt the firefly's flashing behavior by interfering with its oxygen supply, potentially causing stress and making it less aware of danger.

Firefly's Single Flash Signal

Fireflies flash a single light signal when a spider is nearby, possibly due to stress caused by the spider's presence or venom.

Spider's Targeting Strategy

Spiders target fireflies' soft body parts, not their light-emitting lanterns, to inject venom.

Firefly's Single Flash Response - Common or Regional?

Scientists are investigating whether the firefly's single flash response to spiders is a common behavior among firefly species.

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Spider-Firefly Interaction

Scientists are studying the interaction between spiders and fireflies to better understand how the spider's venom affects the firefly's behavior.

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Orb-weaver spider

Araneus ventricosus, also known as the "orb-weaver spider", is a nocturnal spider species found primarily in China, Japan, and Korea. They build their webs in the evening, coinciding with the emergence of fireflies.

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How does the orb-weaver spider manipulate mating signals?

The orb-weaver spider manipulates the mating signals of male fireflies to attract them into its web. It does this by wrapping the fireflies in a thin layer of silk, which allows their single flashes to remain visible and attract more males.

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Firefly communication

Female fireflies emit single flashes to attract males, while males respond with two flashes to attract females.

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How does the orb-weaver spider use silk?

When a male firefly is captured by the orb-weaver spider, it's often wrapped in a thin layer of silk. This allows the firefly's single flash to be visible, attracting other males into the web.

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Why does the orb-weaver spider catch mainly male fireflies?

The orb-weaver spider traps mainly male fireflies because it manipulates their signals to attract them to its web. This is unlike other prey, like beetles, which are completely covered in silk.

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What happens to the firefly's signal after it's removed from the web?

When removed from the web, fireflies typically resume their normal two-flash mating pattern, suggesting that the spider's influence on their signaling is temporary.

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What is still unknown about the spider's manipulation?

The researchers aren't sure how the orb-weaver spider gets the fireflies to emit just one flash instead of two. This remains an area of ongoing research.

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Orb-weaver spider's deceptive tactic

The orb-weaver spider's effective manipulation of firefly signals is an example of a deceptive survival tactic used in nature.

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Study Notes

Deception in the Animal Kingdom

  • Some animals use deception to survive, for example, wasps enslaving spiders for nest-building, and bats mimicking hornets.
  • Orb-weaver spiders (Araneus ventricosus), nocturnal spiders found in China, Japan, and Korea, manipulate firefly mating signals for hunting.

Firefly Manipulation

  • Female fireflies signal with single flashes, males with two.
  • Orb-weaver spiders, present in the same nightly habitat, catch mainly male fireflies.
  • Captured fireflies emit single flashes, mimicking females.

Experimental Investigation

  • Researchers (Xinhua Fu and team) created four experimental groups to test spider-firefly interaction:
    • Group 1: Spider & Male Firefly
    • Group 2: Male Firefly (No Spider)
    • Group 3: Spider & Male Firefly (Light Blocked)
    • Group 4: Control (No Fireflies or Spiders)
  • Spiders ensnare fireflies with a light silk layer, maintaining visibility of flashes.
  • Male fireflies remain alive longer than other caught insects.
  • Altered flashing behavior happens only when spiders are present, suggesting manipulation.

Mechanism of Manipulation

  • Research suggests spider venom might cause the change in light signals.
  • Spiders target firefly's soft body parts, possibly interrupting oxygen supply or nerve signals affecting the light-emitting mechanisms.
  • When removed from the web and allowed to recover, fireflies return to their normal flashing pattern.

Further Research

  • Researchers are continuing their studies to understand the manipulation process further and look for similar behaviours in other species.

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