Talk:Nephila pilipes

Sexual Dimormphism Observed in Nehila pilipes

Hello I am researching the sexual dimorphism in the Nephila species and came across the following articles which I think may be useful to this page: Below are my references to the sexual dimorphism in the spider Nephila species along with my own comments on the articles. Feel free to comment!

1. Elgar, Mark A., and Babette F. Fahey. "Sexual Cannibalism, Competition, and Size Dimorphism in the Orb-weaving Spider Nephila Plumipes Latreille (Araneae: Araneoidea)." Behavioral Ecology 7.2 (1996): 195. Environment Complete. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

Link: http://ezp.slu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eih&AN=8479804&site=eds-live

1. Kuntner, Matjaž, and Mark A. Elgar. "Evolution and Maintenance of Sexual Size Dimorphism: Aligning Phylogenetic and Experimental Evidence." Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Front. Ecol. Evol. 2 (2014). Google Scholar. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2014.00026

1. Kuntner, Matjaž, Shichang Zhang, Matjaž Gregorič, and Daiqin Li. "Nephila Female Gigantism Attained through Post-maturity Molting." Journal of Arachnology 40.3 (2012): 345-47. JSTOR Journals. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.

Link: http://www.jstor.org.ezp.slu.edu/stable/41758984

1. Schneider, Jutta, and Mark Elgar. "The Combined Effects of Pre- and Post-Insemination Sexual Selection on Extreme Variation in Male Body Size." Evolutionary Ecology 19.5 (2005): 419. Edb. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-005-8310-6

I found several citations which help link the sexual dimorphism in spiders to several tested possibilities. There seems to be some disagreement in the scientific community in the cause of the difference in size of males and females, with females being smaller. The Journal of Arachnology article titled "Nephila Female Gigantism Attained through Post-maturity Molting." gave evidence for the Nephila pilipes that the large size difference was significantly affected by the female spiders continued molting after maturity which increased there carapaces, outer shell, size. While Nephila plumipes Latreille spider study in the Behavioral Ecology article "Sexual Cannibalism, Competition, and Size Dimorphism in the Orb-weaving Spider” explained the sexual dimorphism as a product of two competing selections, one that smaller males are preferred by females as they are less likely to be cannibalized but, that when males compete between each other the larger males win. Other evidence of the species sexual dimorphism comes from the Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution article which explained through an examination of the species as a whole that the size selection for both males and females is moving toward larger animals but, that the rate of male spider growth is less than that of female spiders. Then the article from Evolutionary Ecology also supported the idea that there are different forces acting on the selection of males which males reproductive success favor larger and smaller spiders in different ways whereas females reproductive success was greater when they are larger not smaller. These articles are all a starting point for further examination of what are the key factors influencing sexual dimorphism in the golden orb weaver.

Update: I have added more sources about various explanations scientists have been testing regarding the dimorphism in N. pilipes. With each explanation I have included the genetic/environmental basis for it. Also, I have tried to explain that this dimorphism has been seen in the species throughout its populations with each having smaller males than females. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Cbiology (talk • contribs) 19:53, 20 October 2015 (UTC)

N.pilipes from Thailand

Thailand is not listed on this page as a location for N.pilipes, however, I have personally observed it there and it could be reasonably inferred from the listed locations that it exists there. Suggest updating page to reflect this.Pignoli 13:34, 19 November 2006 (UTC)

N. Pilipes in the Philippines.

I have seen one of this Nephila Pilipes species in a jungle in the Philippines, I think it is more of an introduced species rather than native in the Philippines, it's appearance in the Philippines is recent. Update the article please. --121.54.68.114 (talk) 11:44, 12 June 2009 (UTC)

Nephila pilipes in the Philippines.

Confirmed by me and the locals it is a common orb weaving spider in the thick tropical rainforest of the Philippines, it is not an introduced species but it is also native to the Philippines.--121.54.68.114 (talk) 09:05, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

Size

Female of the species is listed as 'large' at 30-50mm. Perhaps that size isn't right.-- —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.142.178.20 (talk) 00:55, 24 May 2011 (UTC)

Does this include the legs? I have photos of this species mesuring 20 to 25 cm including the legs. Yann (talk) 14:12, 14 February 2012 (UTC)

Hello, I was very impressed with the sexual dimorphism section. I would suggest only adding a couple things including: maybe break up the writing with subheadings for each different explanation, another thing you could do is add more hyperlinks for some of the more scientific terms within the work. Overall the writing is very well done and flows nicely. Adowney31 (talk)