Refuge preferences in the threatened katipō (Latrodectus katipo) and invasive false katipō (Steatoda capensis) spiders (Araneae: Theridiidae).
- Author
- Roberts, J.J., Wignall, A. &; Brunton, D.H.
- Year
- 2025
- Journal / Source
- Biological Invasions
- Volume
- 27
- Number
- 45
- Pages
- 14 pp
- Summary
- Refuge preferences can be crucial behavioural traits for survival. Here, we explore the refuge preferences of the threatened katipō spider (Latrodectus katipo) and invasive false katipō (Steatoda capensis) (Araneae, Theridiidae). We conducted experimental assays using artificial refuges in the laboratory to test individual preferences for refuge shape, surface, and height. We also tested how refuge type affects the number of web trap lines built for prey capture. Both species preferred V-shaped refuges over rectangular refuges, with no evidence of a preference for other refuge types. For reasons that remain unclear, individuals varied in their preferences for surface and height in both their daily and final choices, but only in shape during their daily choices. Katipō spiders showed refuge fidelity in all three assays, however, there was also evidence of individual variation in refuge fidelity in the shape assay. False katipō spiders only displayed refuge fidelity in the shape and surface assays. Spiders built more web trap lines under V-shaped refuges than rectangular refuges, suggesting higher activity and greater refuge investment, which may further reflect a preference for V-shaped refuges. While V-shaped refugia are not exclusively preferred by katipō, introducing V-shaped artificial refuges into their habitats could help support the persistence and expansion of katipō populations. Although false katipō are also likely to use these refugia, the decline of sand dunes has limited the availability of natural refugia. Therefore, providing artificial refuges could increase the available habitat and reduce competition between katipō and false katipō.