The effect of biotic and abiotic factors on reproduction in a false widow spider

Summary

If individuals fail to reproduce, population faces extinction. Reproduction is important for all animals, but studies about reproduction in spiders are not abundant. My research focused on the reproduction of a false widow spider, Steatoda grossa. This spider is widespread and often found near human residences. I looked at how factors like competitions between males, mating behaviours, food availability, climate change and climate extremes, especially heatwaves affect their reproduction. This thesis enhances our understanding of spider reproductive biology and ecology. Climate change and climate extremes are posing threats to many organisms, leading to detrimental impacts on biodiversity. As the most abundant predator of invertebrates, spiders are often overlooked in biodiversity conservation efforts. It is important to study the reproduction on a broader range of high-trophic-level animals, which provides a more comprehensive understanding of ecological resilience and the effects of climate change on biodiversity.