Exploring the factors driving the success of urban-exploiting spiders

Author Identifier

Elizabeth C. Lowe: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3792-3178

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Quarterly Review of Biology

Volume

100

Issue

1

First Page

5

Last Page

28

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

School

School of Science

Publication Unique Identifier

10.1086/734502

Funders

David Lachlan Hay Memorial Fund

Comments

Willmott, N. J., Wong, B. B., McNamara, K. B., Jones, T. M., & Lowe, E. C. (2025). Exploring the factors driving the success of urban-exploiting spiders. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 100(1), 5-28. https://doi.org/10.1086/734502

Abstract

The impacts of urbanization are driving a dramatic shift in the types of habitats available to animals. Although there are often negative consequences for species occupying highly modified habitats, other species are able to cope with or even thrive under novel conditions. However, it is difficult to identify general patterns in the traits that influence the success of animals in cities. Spiders are perhaps the most diverse and abundant terrestrial predator group on the planet, and they offer an excellent opportunity to study these patterns. Spiders are impacted by a wide range of anthropogenic changes, including habitat structure, novel water sources, urban heat, various pollutants, and shifts in biotic interactions. Although urban-exploiting spiders are morphologically and phylogenetically diverse, we found some patterns in urban success. Current literature suggests a mixed relationship between body size and urban success, but also that urban success is facilitated by flexibility in habitat use, diets, and other behaviors such as web building. Additionally, tolerance of high or low temperatures can allow species to occupy different urban habitats. Our review on this ecologically vital group of predators aims to facilitate further study of spider natural history and an increased understanding of the drivers of urban biodiversity.

DOI

10.1086/734502

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