Feeding Behavior and Prey Preference of the Camel Spider Galeodes turcmenicus Birula, 1937 (Solifugae: Galeodidae) in Iraq under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

     This study aimed to evaluate the predation mechanism and acceptance of several prey species in adult male Galeodes turcmenicus under structured laboratory conditions. Sixteen adult male G. turcmenicus individuals were collected from four stations in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq, and kept individually in individually perforated boxes under laboratory conditions according to standards. After that, the laboratory experiment was conducted on them by presenting seven types of prey, and for each prey presented, it was based on the number of spiders in the experiment, as the prey was different in terms of body size, the rigidity of the exoskeleton, in addition to the ability to move.Prey acceptance and feeding behavior were then recorded, with locust acceptance (Schistocerca sp.) reaching (100%), while the percentage of field cockroaches reached (93.8%), followed by wolf spiders (87.5%), and house flies (87.5%). It showed an average acceptance rate (56.3%) for American cockroaches, while the acceptance rate for geckos (Hemidactylus. sp) was Less frequent (37.5%), and a rate (0%) was recorded for dark beetles (Tenebrionidae). Feeding behavior followed a unique sequence that began with detecting and guiding prey, then rapid attack, using pedipalps to capture it, transferring prey to chelicerae , stabilizing, breaking up prey tissue, then swallowing liquefied tissue and finally rejecting indigestible residue. The results show clear prey selectivity in G. turcmenicus. Prey with soft, mobile bodies was preferred, while prey with very stiff bodies was rejected. These results indicated that the rigidity of the prey's exoskeleton and its body size are key acceptable prey specifications. This study was the first experimental evaluation of G. turcmenicus prey acceptance, preference, and feeding behavior in the Iraqi environment, providing new data on the feeding ecology of solifuges in the Middle East.