ABSTRACT

The use of full spectrum illumination, including ultraviolet (UV), during captive husbandry of arachnids is common practice. The effect of this on captive arachnids has not been previously investigated. Comparison of key behavioral changes and hemolymph cortisol immunoreactivity was undertaken with and without full spectrum lighting. King baboon spiders, Pelinobius muticus and Indian giant scorpions, Heterometrus swammerdami were selected for the study. Both organisms spent all their time hidden when exposed to full spectrum light compared to low-level ambient light except for one instance. There was no significant difference in burrowing and webbing in P. muticus when exposed to full spectrum lighting. There was a decrease in the number of behaviors or postures expressed in full spectrum lighting compared to ambient light for both species. Cortisol immunoactivity of both species were significantly elevated after exposure to full spectrum lighting. This study provides the first evidence of detectable cortisol immunoactivity in arachnid hemolymph. These levels changed in response to full spectrum illumination and were linked to behavioral changes. This suggests that a common husbandry practice may be detrimental to arachnids.

摘要

在圈养蜘蛛期间使用全光谱照明，包括紫外线 (UV) 是常见的做法。这对圈养蛛形纲动物的影响以前没有研究过。在有和没有全光谱照明的情况下进行了关键行为变化和血淋巴皮质醇免疫反应性的比较。王狒狒蜘蛛Pelinobius muticus和印度巨蝎Heterometrus swammerdami被选为研究对象。与低水平环境光相比，这两种生物在暴露于全光谱光下时都处于隐藏状态，除了一个实例。P. muticus在挖洞和织带方面没有显着差异当暴露在全光谱照明下时。与环境光相比，这两个物种在全光谱照明中表达的行为或姿势数量有所减少。暴露于全光谱照明后，这两种物种的皮质醇免疫活性均显着升高。这项研究提供了蛛形纲动物血淋巴中可检测到的皮质醇免疫活性的第一个证据。这些水平随着全光谱照明而变化，并与行为变化有关。这表明常见的畜牧业可能对蛛形纲动物有害。