Abstract (en):
This study records thirteen predation attempts by the wolf spider Tropicosa thorelli (Keyserling) on males of the aeshnid dragonfly Rhionaeschna marchali (Rambur) in a protected area of the Colombian Andes. All events occurred on macrophyte vegetation near the shoreline of the Tominé Reservoir, at the locality of Club Náutico El Muña. For each event, we recorded perch height, time of occurrence, attack duration, and ambient temperature. The observations took place between 11:01 and 11:47 h during the dry season, under temperatures ranging from 21.2 to 23.7 °C. The mean duration of attack events was 12.72 ± 2.41 min. In all cases, the attacks were interrupted by the arrival of R. marchali males, although the mechanisms underlying this behavior remain unclear. These observations suggest that perch characteristics, particularly perch height, may influence the vulnerability of R. marchali males to predation by sit-and-wait spiders.
Abstract (es):
Este estudio registra trece intentos de depredación por parte de la araña lobo Tropicosa thorelli (Keyserling) sobre machos de la libélula Rhionaeschna marchali (Rambur) en un área protegida de los Andes colombianos. Todos los eventos ocurrieron sobre vegetación de macrófitas cercana a la orilla del embalse de Tominé, en la localidad de Club Náutico El Muña. Para cada evento se registraron datos como la altura de la percha, la hora de ocurrencia, la duración del ataque y la temperatura ambiente. Las observaciones tuvieron lugar entre las 11:01 y las 11:47 h durante la estación seca, con temperaturas entre 21,2 y 23,7 °C. La duración media de los eventos de ataque fue de 12,72 ± 2,41 min. En todos los casos, los ataques fueron interrumpidos por la llegada de otros machos de R. marchali, aunque los mecanismos que explican este comportamiento aún no son claros. Estas observaciones sugieren que las características de la percha, en particular su altura, pueden influir en la vulnerabilidad de los machos de R. marchali frente a la depredación de arañas que emplean estrategias de caza al acecho.
Keywords:
trophic interaction, habitat structure, behavioral interference, shoreline microhabitat, aquatic–terrestrial interface, predation risk (en)
interacción trófica, estructura del hábitat, interferencia conductual, microhábitat de orilla, interfaz acuático-terrestre, riesgo de depredación (es)
interacción trófica, estructura del hábitat, interferencia conductual, microhábitat de orilla, interfaz acuático-terrestre, riesgo de depredación (es)
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How to Cite
Palacino-Rodríguez, F., & Palacino-Penagos, D. A. (2026). First record of Tropicosa thorelli (Araneae: Lycosidae) attacking the dragonfly Rhionaeschna marchali (Odonata: Aeshnidae). Biota Colombiana, 27, e1300. https://doi.org/10.21068/2539200X.1300
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