| Using light as a lure is an efficient predatory strategy in Arachnocampa flava, an Australian glowworm. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21136265 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Trap-building, sit-and-wait predators such as spiders, flies and antlions tend to have low standard metabolic rates (SMRs) but potentially high metabolic costs of trap construction. Members of the genus Arachnocampa (glowworms) use an unusual predatory strategy: larvae bioluminesce to lure positively phototropic insects into their adhesive webs. We investigated the metabolic costs associated with bioluminescence and web maintenance in larval Arachnocampa flava. The mean rate of CO(2) production ([Formula: see text]CO(2)) during continuous bioluminescence was 4.38 μl h(-1) ± 0.78 (SEM). The mean [Formula: see text]CO(2) of inactive, non-bioluminescing larvae was 3.49 ± 0.35 μl h(-1). The mean [Formula: see text]CO(2) during web maintenance when not bioluminescencing was 8.95 ± 1.78 μl h(-1), a value significantly lower than that measured during trap construction by other predatory arthropods. These results indicate that bioluminescence itself is not energetically expensive, in accordance with our prediction that a high cost of bioluminescence would render the Arachnocampa sit-and-lure predatory strategy inefficient. In laboratory experiments, both elevated feeding rates and daily web removal caused an increase in bioluminescent output. Thus, larvae increase their investment in light output when food is plentiful or when stressed through having to rebuild their webs. As light production is efficient and the cost of web maintenance is relatively low, the energetic returns associated with continuing to glow may outweigh the costs of continuing to attract prey. |
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Authors:
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Robyn E Willis; Craig R White; David J Merritt |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article Date: 2010-12-07 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology Volume: 181 ISSN: 1432-136X ISO Abbreviation: J. Comp. Physiol. B, Biochem. Syst. Environ. Physiol. Publication Date: 2011 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-04-12 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8413200 Medline TA: J Comp Physiol B Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 477-86 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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