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WHAT'S IN THE WEB: ANALYZING TROPHIC INTERACTIONS IN SPIDER WEB ECOSYSTEMS**

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between predators and their prey is fundamental in ecology; however, traditional dietary methods have limitations in accuracy and resolution. Molecular gut content analysis via DNA metabarcoding provides a powerful approach to identify prey species and reconstruct predator diets and food webs, but the persistence of prey in predator guts remains uncertain. We hypothesize that prey DNA detectability declines by day post feeding. In this study, we use the Joro spider (Trichonephilia clavata) as a model species to evaluate how long prey DNA can remain detectible in their guts post feeding. Joro spiders are a non-native, generalist predator, and their diets vary across habitats, which make them ecologically relevant for testing accuracy of molecular diet reconstruction. A total of 115 female Joro spiders were collected across Georgia and fed a known prey item (southern green stink bug or cricket). Spiders were sacrificed at different time intervals ranging from 0 to 6 days post-feeding. Gut content was extracted, and prey DNA amplified using a two-step PCR approach before sequencing. Results from sequence data will be processed using established bioinformatics pipelines. Data analysis is ongoing, and results will be reported upon the completion of bioinformatics processing. These results can be used to model prey DNA detectability over time providing insight to the temporal limits of DNA metabarcoding for reconstructing predator food webs. These findings will help refine molecular approaches in ecological research.

Acknowledgements

VSU Dep of Biology

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