Hunger and territorial-dependent cannibalism in females of a South American species of wolf spider (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Cannibalism is considered common among spiders. Nonsexual cannibalism might provide a significant foraging behavior for wolf spiders. To determine the type of cannibalism that influences the foraging behavior of Lycosa poliostoma (Lycosidae), we conducted experiments to test whether hunger level and territoriality affected the rate of cannibalism in adult females in captivity. We found significant differences in the rates of cannibalism between starved spiders and control spiders. Specifically, starved spiders preyed on conspecifics at higher rates than those of satiated spiders. In addition, we found significant differences in the rates of cannibalism between territorial spiders and control spiders, suggesting that territoriality is an important component of foraging behavior. In conclusion, we provide the first report of hunger and territorial-dependent cannibalism in Lycosa poliostoma (Lycosidae), an abundant wolf spider in the grasslands of Argentina and Uruguay. This work generates new questions on the role of cannibalism in its trophic ecology as well as on its potential use as a biological control of pests.