Abstract
Studies were conducted from April to August 1993, on the diets
and dietary overlap, as well as diel activity patterns of sympatric
populations of the solpugids, Eremobates palpisetulosus and E. mormonus. Although both species are generalist predators, they do
exhibit different prey preferences based on the hardness of the
cuticle. Seventy eight percent of the diet of E. palpisetulosus consisted
of hard-bodied orthopteran and coleopteran insects, whereas
77% of the diet of E. mormonus consisted of softer-bodied
dipteran, heteropteran, and orthopteran insects as well as spiders.
No significant dietary differences were found between sexes. Both
solpugid species exhibit similar temporal patterns of activity
although E. mormonus does remain active at the surface for a
longer period of time.
Citation
ID:
179490
Ref Key:
punzo1994psyche:trophic