Malli H, Imboden H, Kuhn-Nentwig L
Zoological Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Toxicon. 1998 Dec;36(12):1959-69. doi: 10.1016/s0041-0101(98)00120-2.
The variation in venom dose with prey size of the neotropical wandering spider Cupieinnius salei was examined experimentally. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against the venom toxins of C. salei. Mab 9H3, recognizing the main toxin CSTX-1, was used to quantify the venom by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Crickets (Achta domesticus) in four size classes were randomly offered to sixteen mature female spiders at 14d intervals. The prey items were removed from spiders five minutes after the initial bite and subsequently homogenized for ELISA measurements. The quantity of venom expended was significantly related to the size of prey, ranging from 0.15 microl for the smallest (100 110 mg) to 1.53 microl for the largest (600-660 mg) crickets. Adaptations to prey size were also reflected in capturing behavior. None of the smallest, but almost 50% of the largest crickets were wrapped in silk following the spiders bite. Some other behavioral features may reduce the energetic costs of venom production. In 22% of the smallest crickets no venom was detectable, with the majority showing mechanical damage as a result of fang contact. This indicates. that C. salei does not rely exclusively on its venom when feeding on small prey. Some other aspects such as the site of the bite and the speed of paralyzation and their consequences associated with the amount of venom expended are discussed.
对新热带游走蛛Cupiennius salei毒液剂量随猎物大小的变化进行了实验研究。制备了针对C. salei毒液毒素的单克隆抗体。识别主要毒素CSTX-1的单克隆抗体9H3，用于通过酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）对毒液进行定量。将四种大小等级的蟋蟀（家蟋蟀）每隔14天随机提供给16只成熟雌蛛。在最初叮咬五分钟后，将猎物从蜘蛛处取出，随后匀浆以进行ELISA测量。所消耗的毒液量与猎物大小显著相关，最小的蟋蟀（100 - 110毫克）消耗毒液量为0.15微升，最大的蟋蟀（600 - 660毫克）消耗毒液量为1.53微升。对猎物大小的适应性也体现在捕食行为上。最小的蟋蟀无一被蛛丝包裹，但最大的蟋蟀中近50%在蜘蛛叮咬后被蛛丝包裹。其他一些行为特征可能会降低毒液产生的能量成本。在22%的最小蟋蟀中未检测到毒液痕迹，大多数因毒牙接触而表现出机械损伤。这表明，C. salei在捕食小猎物时并非完全依赖其毒液。文中还讨论了其他一些方面，如叮咬部位、麻痹速度及其与所消耗毒液量相关的后果。
