Assessing pace-of-life: Comparing metabolism and behavior in tarantulas

<p>Pace-of-Life Syndrome (PoLS) links physiology, behavior, and life history to understand how an organism lives and is under-researched in many invertebrate groups. In this study I used five tarantula species to assess if they follow the predictions of PoLS. I compared individual species as well as Old- and New-World lineages and solitary and sub-social species. I predicted that Old- World and sub-social species would have higher resting metabolic rates (RMRs) and activity levels compared to New-World and solitary species. RMRs were measured using an open-flow respirometry system, and a classic open-arena test was used to assess activity level. Spearman’s correlation determined that there were significant correlations between activity levels and RMR which followed PoLS predictions. I concluded these tarantula species followed the PoLS hypothesis although not all trends were significant. This is novel research and provides a strong foundation for future research studies within this area.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• VanScoyoc, Haley

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cara Shillington, Ph.D.
• Steven Francoeur, Ph.D.
• Allen Kurta, Ph.D.

• New-world
• Old-world
• Pace-of-life
• Solitary
• Subsocial
• Tarantula
• Biology
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Zoology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1114

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2487