A stochastic simulation model for Anelosimus studiosus during prey capture: a case study for determination of optimal spacing.

In this paper, we develop a stochastic differential equation model to simulate the movement of a social/subsocial spider species, Anelosimus studiosus, during prey capture using experimental data collected in a structured environment. In a subsocial species, females and their maturing offspring share a web and cooperate in web maintenance and prey capture. Furthermore, observations indicate these colonies change their positioning throughout the day, clustered during certain times of the day while spaced out at other times.

Genetic variation of dietary restriction and the effects of nutrient-free water and amino acid supplements on lifespan and fecundity of Drosophila.

We measure genetic variation in lifespan and fecundity at two food levels in 34 core lines of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel collection. Lines were significantly different from each other in lifespan and fecundity at both restricted and full food. There was a strong food-by-line interaction for the slope of age-specific mortality, fecundity and proportion of fertilized eggs, indicating the presence of genetic variation for the strength of the dietary restriction effect, likely to represent standing genetic variation in a natural population from which the lines used have originated.