It is a well-known fact that within any population of spiders of similar .age there is considerable variation in the size of individual spiders of the same species. In literature as early as 189o, McCook has observed this variation and repeated observations (Comstock, I94O; Savory, 1928) have verified this phenomenon. Although observations are frequent, explanations are few. Bristowe (I958) cites differences in feeding as a reason for differential size, but the reference is made merely in passing and to the authors’ knowledge is not elaborated upon elsewhere. This paucity of explanation lends itself to further analysis of the factors contributing to the phenomenon of differential size. Our purpose in this paper is to isolate some of the factors which contribute to differential size in zlraneus diadematus Clerck (for identification .of species, see Levi, 1971), .and to elaborate upon certain of these factor.s as we are able. Corresponding with differential size, in an orb-weaver such as ztraneus diadematus, differential growth is also manifested in changing dimensions of the web. That large differences in dimensions exist betwen the individual webs of spiders is also a well-known fact. An attempt to clarify so.me of the factors influencing web changes is also made.
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Benforado et al. (1973) studied this question.