TY - GEN A1 - Michalko, Radek A1 - Birkhofer, Klaus A1 - Pekár, Stano T1 - Interaction between hunting strategy, habitat type and stratum drive intraguild predation and cannibalism T2 - Oikos N2 - Intraguild predation (IGP) is a common interaction between generalist predators when they competitively exploit similar resources and prey on each other. Theoretical models predict limitations for intraguild predator coexistence unless some mechanisms, such as the utilization of alternative prey (i.e. trophic niche partitioning) and cannibalism, increase the relative intraspecific clustering and interspecific segregation. As hunting strategies determine trophic niches of predators and their own vulnerability to predation, the hunting strategies may also determine the relative importance of cannibalism, predation, and exploitative competition and consequently the intensity of IGP. The importance of hunting strategies on the potential outcome of IGP and how habitat properties modify the interaction between hunting strategies remain poorly understood. Using published data on spider prey of spider predators, we first investigated how predation of a top-predator on a mesopredator is determined by the functional distance between both predators to understand how predation and exploitation are distributed in spider communities. Subsequently, we investigated the predation among spiders with particular hunting strategies to understand which strategies interact most frequently. We also investigated whether the interaction between hunting strategies was influenced by habitat type (forest, open (semi)natural habitat, agroecosystem) or by habitat stratum (ground versus vegetation). The hunting strategies of top-predators and mesopredators interacted to determine the relative capture proportions of conspecifics and hetero-specifics. This interaction was further modified by habitat type and stratum. Two mechanisms can reinforce coexistence in highly diverse spider communities. First, top-predators preyed most frequently on functionally distinct mesopredators, which indicates the overall intensity of IGP may be relaxed by a balanced distribution between exploitative competition and predation. Second, cannibalism was common for top-predators with a hunting strategy of frequently preying on functionally similar mesopredators. Cannibalism may lead to self-limitation of top-predator populations and may thereby facilitate coexistence between two predator species. Y1 - 2022 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.08355 SN - 1600-0706 IS - 3 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Pekár, Stano A1 - Wolff, Jonas O. A1 - Černecká, Ľudmila A1 - Birkhofer, Klaus A1 - Mammola, Stefano A1 - Lowe, Elizabeth C. A1 - Fukushima, Caroline S. A1 - Herberstein, Marie E. A1 - Kučera, Adam A1 - Buzatto, Bruno A. T1 - The World Spider Trait database: a centralized global open repository for curated data on spider traits T2 - Database N2 - Spiders are a highly diversified group of arthropods and play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems as ubiquitous predators, which makes them a suitable group to test a variety of eco-evolutionary hypotheses. For this purpose, knowledge of a diverse range of species traits is required. Until now, data on spider traits have been scattered across thousands of publications produced for over two centuries and written in diverse languages. To facilitate access to such data, we developed an online database for archiving and accessing spider traits at a global scale. The database has been designed to accommodate a great variety of traits (e.g. ecological, behavioural and morphological) measured at individual, species or higher taxonomic levels. Records are accompanied by extensive metadata (e.g. location and method). The database is curated by an expert team, regularly updated and open to any user. A future goal of the growing database is to include all published and unpublished data on spider traits provided by experts worldwide and to facilitate broad cross-taxon assays in functional ecology and comparative biology. Y1 - 2021 UR - https://spidertraits.sci.muni.cz/ U6 - https://doi.org/10.1093/database/baab064 SN - 1758-0463 IS - 2021 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Cardoso, Pedro A1 - Pekar, Stano A1 - Birkhofer, Klaus T1 - Ecosystem services provided by spiders T2 - Biological reviews N2 - Spiders, ubiquitous and abundant predators in terrestrial ecosystems, often bear the weight of an unjust negative perception. However, these remarkable creatures stand as unsung heroes within our ecosystems, wielding significant influence by contributing a multitude of ecosystem services critical to both the planet's future and human well-being. Here, we delve into the diverse spectrum of ecosystem services offered by spiders and their potential to inspire or directly provide nature-based solutions. Provisioning services include the versatile uses of silk-like materials, inspiration for biomimetic technology, medicines derived from venom, bio-insecticides that offer eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals, food sources for various communities worldwide, and even becoming unconventional yet increasingly valued pets. Regulating services provided by spiders extend to vital roles in pest suppression across diverse agricultural settings, mitigating diseases by curbing insectmediated pathogen dispersal, and controlling invasive species. Supporting services offered by spiders are equally extensive, involving nutrient cycling through the breakdown of organic matter, acting as food sources, or creating habitats for other organisms. Beyond their tangible contributions, spiders hold a significant cultural and spiritual heritage globally and are integral to many traditional medicine practices. They inspire contemporary culture, provide educational value, offer models for scientific discovery, contribute to mental health improvement, evoke a sense of place, and are commonly employed for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem health. To pave the way for future research, we present a roadmap for exploring ecosystem services by spiders. While many of these services are wellestablished and studied from various perspectives, others harbour untapped potential. Leveraging what nature inherently provides, these nature-based solutions offer avenues to address challenges such as biodiversity erosion and societal needs. By restoring, preserving, or mimicking natural processes of spiders, we can enhance or provide essential ecosystem services, harnessing the full potential of spiders and the intricate web of benefits they bring to our world. Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.70044 SP - 1 EP - 20 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER -