GREEN LYNX SPIDER EGG SACS: SOURCES OF MORTALITY AND THE FUNCTION OF FEMALE GUARDIN G

Guarding green lynx spiders reduce egg sac mortality from two major sources, ants and sac dislodgement, using specific behavior patterns. However, they do not discriminate against egg sac s parasitized by mantispids, which are a third important mortality source. When ants are placed on eg g sacs females attack, relocate the sac, or cut attachment lines so that the sac hangs from a minima l number of threads. Egg sacs are also relocated in response to other disturbances. The method of moving the egg sac relies heavily on silk lines and is distinct from that of lycosids and pisaurids