This experiment is part of the Arachnids Challenge Grant. Browse more projects

Why be social? The costs and benefits of sociality in spiders

By Samantha Straus
Backed by William Leinbach, Richard R. Straus, Raymond M. Leinbach, Susan Straus, Vicki Leinbach, Doug, Jennifer Goldman, Tracy Leinbach, Matthew Chan, Douglas Hansen, and 34 other backers
University of British Columbia
Canada
BiologyEcology
DOI: 10.18258/7839
Grant: ArachnidsGrant: Arachnids
$2,835
Raised of $2,700 Goal
105%
Funded on 11/04/16
Successfully Funded
  • $2,835
    pledged
  • 105%
    funded
  • Funded
    on 11/04/16

Modelling transmission of parasites

  • Locate up to 45 social spider nests scattered through the landscape and GPS mark every nest
  • Collect sample of social spiders from each nest
  • Collect sample of each of the three types of parasites from each nest
  • Use RAD sequencing techniques to find levels of relatedness between colonies and their respective parasites
  • If patterns of relatedness of parasites between "habitat patches" (social spider nests) resembles that of the social spiders themselves, we have evidence for vertical transmission (from parent to daughter colony).
  • If patterns of relatedness differ, we have evidence for horizontal transmission of parasites (transmission between neighboring colonies).

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