Some Notes on Rearing Poltys (Araneae, Araneidae) in Captivity (Short Communication) (Report‪)‬

The majority of studies that involve rearing orb-web spiders aim to examine web-building behavior, therefore spiders are reared in large cages where they can spin webs and live food is usually placed into the webs. Indeed, a recent publication provides invaluable advice for laboratory rearing (Zschokke & Herberstein 2005). Of studies involving the rearing of spiders for other purposes, many minimize the space and facilities required by enclosing spiders in small vials, at least for younger stages (e.g. Schaefer 1977), and some have successfully used artificial food mixes (Peck & Whitcomb 1968, cited in Nentwig 1987; Amalin et al. 1999, 2001). That spiders will accept non-living food is not surprising as a number of instances of spiders scavenging dead prey or accepting unlikely food items offered in a captive situation can be found in the literature (Nentwig 1987 provides examples). As far as I am aware, however, no studies have reported rearing orb-web species (e.g., Araneidae) to maturity using small containers and entirely fed on non-living food. The present study involved rearing araneid spiders in the genus Poltys C.L. Koch 1843. This was carried out to: 1) confirm the matching of sexes by obtaining males from egg sacs laid by known females; 2) study the development of abdominal shape in females. These results have been previously reported (Smith 2006a, 2003 respectively), but the method of rearing has not. Additional data from this rearing method on clutch sizes and growth rates will be reported in a future publication. The spiders were reared as efficiently as possible in small vials and on non-living food. The rearing methods were developed by trial and error during the course of raising the specimens; hence this work is not presented as a rigorous scientific study. Rather, this short communication is intended to provide some guidance to others who wish to raise spiders in similar conditions, and is focused on methodology rather than results.