Relationships between physiological characteristics and trace metal body burdens of banded garden spiders Argiope trifasciata (Araneae, Araneidae).

Banded garden spiders (Argiope trifasciata) were collected at the Ballona Wetlands, a metal contaminated salt marsh. The relationship between spider body size and individual metal loads was investigated. Biochemical markers were identified in spider fecal material and found to correlate to body metal levels.