Jumping spider exploration: costs of ant-mimicry and lab lockdowns

This thesis investigates exploratory behaviours in jumping spiders in two different contexts: ant-mimicry and laboratory lockdowns. Both trials used an open arena and novel object task. 

Theory suggests that perfect mimicry is the ideal phenotype to maximise predator protection, yet imperfect mimicry is common in nature. I tested a number of existing hypotheses suggesting costs that may inhibit perfect mimicry by comparing exploration behaviour in 'good' mimicking and non-mimicking spiders. My results showed mimics were more exploratory than non-mimics, insinuating that mimicry does not impose a cost on explorative behaviour. 

Laboratory conditions affect multiple aspects of spider behaviour and physiology, yet spiders are often kept in laboratories for extended periods before testing. I tested field-caught spiders before and after a 6-week laboratory stay to assess how these stays affected their explorative behaviour and body condition. I provided half the spiders with physical enrichment and deprived the others to see if this affected exploration levels. Spiders were less exploratory in the final trials, and physical enrichment had no effect on behaviours. Spider condition remained constant between trials. If spiders are affected by laboratory conditions, then this should affect how we interpret previous results and design future studies.