Results and Discussion
In a fascinating testament to the prevalence of parasites and the
pressure imposed on their hosts, 2 of the 5 spiders collected for the
experiment succumbed to infections apparently already present at the
time of collection. One control female and one experimental male died
within 2-3 days of collection, the former quickly sprouting a large
horsehair worm-like parasite and the latter produced the fungusPurpureocillium atypicola ( formerly Nomurea atypicola) ,
another spider-specific ascomycete of the family Ophiocordycipitaceae
(Figure 2a). The two surviving experimental hosts died after several
weeks, affixing themselves to the underside of the petri lid (Figure
2b-c). The hosts were then incubated in place by sealing the plate
containing the cadaver and moistened cotton ball with paraffin film
(Figure 2d). The subsequent fungal growth was then subcultured and
compared to the original isolate (Figure 3). Comparisons based on both
microscopic examination of conidiogenous structures as well as
macroscopic colony growth characteristics demonstrate Gibellula
pulchra as the cause of death. The remaining control spider was
eventually set free at the conclusion of the experiment.