Comparing Nutrient Intake by Wolf Spiders (Hogna carolinensis) Consuming Frogs (Acris blanchardi) and Crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)
Chloe G. Hunsucker, Colton Herzog, Jamie T. Reeves, Shawn M. Wilder, Scott T. McMurry

TL;DR
This study compares what wolf spiders eat when given frogs or crickets, finding that each provides different nutrients.
Contribution
The study reveals how different prey types affect nutrient intake in wolf spiders, highlighting dietary regulation in predators.
Findings
Frogs provide less lipid but more lean tissue compared to crickets.
Spiders consumed more micronutrients when eating frogs.
Both prey types offer valuable nutrients to wolf spiders.
Abstract
Herbivores and omnivores have been shown to regulate their intake of nutrients to a balance that maximizes fitness. Predators were traditionally believed to have less need for dietary regulation than herbivores, given the higher nutritional quality of animal tissue compared to plants. However, some predators, like spiders, may feed on diverse prey that could vary substantially in nutrient content and, hence, their potential quality as food items. This study compared the nutrient intake of Carolina wolf spiders ( Hogna carolinensis ) when they fed on cricket frogs ( Acris blanchardi) and crickets ( Gryllodes sigillatus ). In diet trials, spiders were fasted prior to being offered a frog or cricket for consumption. Then, prey remains and nonconsumed (control) frog and cricket samples were analyzed for lipid, lean tissue, and elemental content. Results show that frogs and crickets vary…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAmphibian and Reptile Biology · Insect Utilization and Effects · Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
