 |
 |
Invertebrates
eating vertebrates. Some impressive predation from the undergrowth
By
Francesco Tomasinelli
UPDATED
09/09/2006
UPDATED 09/09/2006
Early explorers back from
south american tropical rainforest reported of huge spiders killing
birds and weren’t believed. Further investigations confirmed these
incredible predations do occur and impressive drawings were painted,
featuring Avicularia-like spiders feeding on defenceless hot-blood animals.
Now recent studies taken in Brasil (Toledo and others) state that big
predatory Arthropods, especially spiders, are among the most important
threat for small Amphibians in rainforests. Cupiennius wandering
spiders are guided by vibrations emitted by male singing tree frogs,
while big tarantulas Theraphosa attack small gecko, lizard
and sometimes rodents on forest floor. But there are reports of small
snakes, including rattlesnakes, being killed too.
On the contrary sometimes tarantula and frogs build strong positive
relations, with the spider (Xenesthis) not attacking the frog
(Clasmocleis) in close proximity and inside his burrow, since
the small amphibian can elimante parasites near spider’s nest.
Other surprising predators like fishing spiders Ancylometes
and Dolomedes can take fishes, tadpole directly in the water
performing a sudden dive. The nasty tropical centipedes and solifugids
(camel spiders or wind spiders) seems to consider many small reptiles
as tasty as insects.
Praying mantids are among the most
aggressive predatory insects. So it’s no surprise if, according
to various observations, a part of the diet of the biggest species is
composed of vertebrates. There are even reports of hummingbird being
attacked.
Surprisingly such behaviour are not limited to tropical countries. In
Europe mantids take small lizards basking in the sun while scolopendras
hunts them under rocks at night. In France a predatory
bush criket Saga pedo has been seen while consuming a lizard.
Ant the poorly known freshwater crab is
known to prey on frogs too.
Many of the pictures you
see here are taken in the wild and some in sets using captive animals.
Many thanks to Sara Fratini, Fabio De Vita, Emilio Scoti for precious
informations and help.
 |
 |