Ecological dynamics of Trichonephila clavipes and its inquilines in an urban green area from submontane Neotropical rainforest

Abstract Natural interactions among organisms in ecosystems are fundamental in shaping the evolutionary history and ecological dynamics of populations, communities, and functional ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between spatial distribution patterns and the occurrence of inquilines in the webs of the spider Trichonephila clavipes (Linnaeus, 1767). We analyzed the spatial distribution of T. clavipes , using the Morisita's Intraspecific Aggregation Index to examine the dispersion of individuals relative to expected values and critical indices for clustered patterns. Additionally, we explored whether there is a relationship between web height and the incidence of inquilines. Sampling included 43 females and 4 juveniles of T. clavipes , as well as individuals of Gasteracantha cancriformis (Linnaeus, 1758), Ariamnes attenuatus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1881, Leucauge spp. and Argyrodes spp. We observed a notable clustering pattern in the webs of T. clavipes , which creates a conductive environment for the significant presence of inquilines. The correlation between web structure, prey storage behavior by the host spider, and the presence of these inquilines highlights the relevance of this phenomenon in the species’ ecology. The ease of dispersal of inquilines, as evidenced by the clustering pattern, may explain the observed absence of a relationship between web height and the number of inquilines.