Fingerprinting by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) represents a tool for rapidly detecting proteinaceous compounds from spider venoms. Here we describe an optimized protocol and discuss methodological details with the aim of providing a platform for obtaining the most informative and reproducible mass spectral data.

• Klíčová slova
• Fingerprinting, MALDI-TOF MS, Proteins, Spider venom,
• MeSH
• pavoučí jedy analýza   chemie   MeSH
• proteiny analýza   chemie   MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• pavoučí jedy MeSH
• proteiny MeSH

The arms race between specialist predators and their prey has resulted in the evolution of a variety of specific adaptations. In venomous predators, this can include venom composition, particularly if predators are specialized on dangerous prey. Here, we performed an integrative study using six species of highly specialized ant-eating spiders of the genus Zodarion to investigate their phylogeny, realized trophic niche, efficacy in the capture of various ant species and venom composition. Data on natural diet obtained by next-generation sequencing and field observations showed that the six Zodarion species exploit different ant species. Their phylogeny, based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, correlated with the composition of their natural prey, indicating that closely related Zodarion species specialize on similar ant species. Prey-capture parameters differed among Zodarion species suggesting prey-specific efficacy. Similarly, the venom profiles of both low and high molecular compounds differed among species. Only the profiles of low molecular compounds were correlated with capture efficacy parameters, suggesting that the venom of Zodarion spiders contains prey-specific components. Our study suggests that Iberian Zodarion spiders are specialized on particular ant species.

• Klíčová slova
• adaptation, myrmecophagy, phylogeny, prey specialization, venom,
• MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• Formicidae MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• pavoučí jedy analýza   MeSH
• pavouci fyziologie   MeSH
• predátorské chování MeSH
• stravovací zvyklosti * MeSH
• sympatrie fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• pavoučí jedy MeSH

1. Disruptive natural selection resulting from specialization on different hosts is recognized as one of the most important driving forces in the diversification of herbivores and parasites. It has been proposed that a similar mechanism could apply to carnivorous predators too, although the evidence is still lacking. 2. Here, we show that the differentiation of biotypes of specialized ant-eating spiders of the genus Zodarion has probably been induced by prey-shifting. We focused on two forms of one species Z. styliferum from the Iberian Peninsula that presumably represent ecological races. We conducted geographic, ecological, venom-oriented, reproductive and genetic divergence analysis among multiple populations collected at a number of sites across Portugal and Madeira. 3. Geographic analysis revealed that the two forms occur in mosaic sympatry. Each form was found to associate in nature with a different ant species in a different habitat. Specifically, the styliferum form hunted predominantly Messor ants, and the extraneum form hunted mainly Camponotus ants. Laboratory experiments revealed that the two forms exhibit a significant preference for attacking focal ants, demonstrating higher paralysis efficiency, and also show different venom composition. Cross-mating of the two forms was significantly less likely than between pairs of the same form, suggesting moderate assortative mating. Phylogenetic analyses indicate low genetic differentiation of the two forms and parallel-repeated evolution of biotypes. 4. Adaptive prey-shifting correlated with habitat preference are at present the most valid explanations for biotype formation in Zodarion. The speciation of ant-eating Zodarion spiders thus appears to follow a scenario similar to that of host-shifting in parasites and herbivores.

• MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• Formicidae MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• pavoučí jedy analýza   MeSH
• pavouci genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• potravní řetězec * MeSH
• predátorské chování MeSH
• respirační komplex IV genetika   MeSH
• rozmnožování MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• selekce (genetika) * MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice MeSH
• vznik druhů (genetika) * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Portugalsko MeSH
• Španělsko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• pavoučí jedy MeSH
• respirační komplex IV MeSH