Elizabeth M. Jakob

B.S., Cornell University, 1983

Ph.D., University of California Davis, 1989

Behavioral Ecologist

Current Research:

Jumping spider perception, especially the control of visual attention and how input from multiple eyes is integrated.
Behavioral ecology and evolution of learned behaviors, using jumping spiders as model organisms.

Peer-Reviewed Papers

Winsor, A.M., L. Remage-Healey, R.R. Hoy, and E.M. Jakob. 2024. Visual attention and processing in jumping spiders. Trends in Neuroscience. 47:6-8.

Winsor, A.M., N. Morehouse, E.M. Jakob. 2023. Distributed vision in spiders. Invited chapter in E. Buschbeck and Michael Bok (eds.), Distributed Vision: From Simple Sensors to Sophisticated Combination Eyes. Springer.

Rao, D., S.M. Long, H. TapiaMcClung, K. Salgado-Espinosa, A. Narendra, S. Aguilar-Arguello, L. Robledo-Ospina, D. Rodriguez-Morales, E.M. Jakob. 2022. Visual signals in the wing display of a tephritid fly deter jumping spider attacks. Journal of Experimental Biology, 225: 1-9. doi:10.1242/jeb.244223

Winsor, A.M., G.F. Pagoti, D.J. Daye, E.W. Cheries, K.R. Cave, and E.M. Jakob. 2021. What gaze direction can tell us about cognitive processes in invertebrates. Invited review. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 564:43-54.

Hoefler, C. and E.M. Jakob. 2021. Learning to be winners and losers: agonistic behavior in crayfish. In Exploring Animal Behavior in Laboratory and Field, 2nd edition. H. Zimbler Dirienzo and S. Margulis, ed. Elsevier, New York.

Bruce, M., D. Daye, S.M. Long, A. Winsor, G. Menda, R.R. Hoy, E.M. Jakob. 2021. Attention and distraction in the modular visual system of the jumping spider. Journal of Experimental Biology, 224. doi:10.1242/jeb.231035

Jakob, E.M., S.M. Long, D.P. Harland, R.R. Jackson, A. Carey, M.E. Searles, A.H. Porter, C. Canavesi and Jannick P. Rolland. 2018. Lateral eyes direct principal eyes as jumping spiders track objects. Current Biology 28:R1092-R1093.

Jakob, E. M., S.M. Long, and M. Bruce. 2018. Spiders—Hints for testing learning and cognition in jumping spiders. In N. Bueno-Guerra and F. Amici (eds). In N. Bueno-Guerra and F. Amici (eds). Field and Laboratory Methods in Animal Cognition: A Comparative Guide. Cambridge University Press. Pp. 381-400.

Houser, J. D., A. Porter, H. Ginsberg, and E.M. Jakob. 2016. The effect of agonistic competitive interactions between invasive and native sheet-web spiders. Canadian Journal of Zoology 94:427-434.

Jakob, E.M. and S. Long. 2016. How (not) to train your spider. Invited paper for Festschrift issue of New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 43:112-126.

Long, S.M., A. Leonard, A. Carey, and E.M. Jakob. 2015. Vibration as an effective stimulus for aversive conditioning in jumping spiders. Journal of Arachnology 43:111-114.

Houser, J.D., H. Ginsberg, and E.M. Jakob. 2014. Competition between introduced and native spiders (Araneae: Linyphiidae). Biological Invasions 16:2479-2488.

Spano, L., S. M. Long, and E. M. Jakob. 2012. Secondary eyes mediate the response to looming objects in jumping spiders (Phidippus audax, Salticidae). Biology Letters 8:949-951.

Bednarski, J. V., P. Taylor, and E. M. Jakob. 2012. Optical cues used in predation by jumping spiders, Phidippus audax (Araneae, Salticidae). Animal Behaviour 84:1211-1227.

Long, S. M., S. Lewis, L. Jean-Louis, G. Ramos, J. Richmond, and E. M. Jakob. 2011. Firefly flashing and jumping spider predation. Animal Behaviour 83:81-86.

Jakob, E. M., A. H. Porter, H. Ginsberg, J. V. Bednarski, and J. Houser. 2011. A four-year study of invasive and native spiders in Maine. Canadian Journal of Zoology 89:668-677.

Jakob, E. M., C. Skow and S. Long. 2011. Plasticity, learning and cognition. In M. E. Herberstein (ed.), Spider Behaviour: Flexibility and Versatility. Cambridge University Press. Pp. 307-347.

Bednarski, J., H. Ginsberg and E. Jakob. 2010. Competitive interactions between a native spider (Frontinella communis, Araneae: Linyphiidae) and an invasive spider (Linyphia triangularis, Araneae: Linyphiidae). Biological Invasions 12:905-912.

Baker, L., E. Kelty, and E. Jakob. 2009. The effect of visual features on jumping spider movements across gaps. Journal of Insect Behavior22:350-361.

Jakob, E., C. Skow, M. Haberman, and A. Plourde. 2007. Jumping spiders associate food with color cues in a t-maze. Journal of Arachnology35:487-492.

Hoefler, C., A. Chen, and E. Jakob. 2006. The potential of a jumping spider, Phidippus clarus, as a biocontrol agent. Journal of Economic Entomology 99:432-436.

Hoefler, C. and E. Jakob. 2006. Jumping spiders in space: movement patterns, nest site fidelity and the use of beacons. Animal Behaviour 71:109-116.

Skow, C. and E. Jakob. 2006. Jumping spiders attend to context during learned avoidance of aposematic prey. Behavioral Ecology 17:34-40.

Houser, J., D. Jennings, and E. Jakob. 2005. Predation by Argyrodes trigonum on Linyphia triangularis, an invasive sheet-web weaver in coastal Maine. Journal of Arachnology 33:193-195.

Jakob, E. M. 2004. Individual decisions and group dynamics: why pholcid spiders join and leave groups. Animal Behaviour 68:9-20.

Skow, C. and E. Jakob. 2003. Effects of maternal body size on clutch size and egg weight in a pholcid spider (Holocnemus pluchei). Journal of Arachnology 31:305-308.

Jakob, E. and C. Hoefler. 2003. Learning to be winners and losers: agonistic behavior in crayfish. In B. Ploger and K. Yasukawa (ed.), Laboratory Exercises in Animal Behavior. Academic Press. Also article in accompanying Instructor’s Manual.

Hoefler, C., M. Taylor, and E. M. Jakob. 2002. Chemosensory response to prey in Phidippus audax (Araneae, Salticidae) and Pardosa milvina(Araneae, Lycosidae). Journal of Arachnology 30:155-158.

Jakob, E. M., A. H. Porter, and G. W. Uetz. 2001. Site fidelity and the costs of movement among territories: An example from colonial web-building spiders. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79:2094-2100.

Carducci, J. and E. Jakob. 2000. The effect of rearing environments on the behavior of a jumping spider. Animal Behaviour 59:39-46.

Jakob, E., J. Blanchong, M. Popson, K. Sedey, and M. Summerfield. 2000. Ontogenetic shifts in the cost of living in large groups: focal observations of a pholcid spider (Holocnemus pluchei). American Midland Naturalist 143:405-413.

Marshall, S., E. M. Jakob, and G. W. Uetz. 1999. Re-estimating fitness: Can scaling issues confound condition indices? Oikos 87:2.

Johnson, S. and E. Jakob. 1999. Leg autotomy in a spider has minimal costs in competitive ability and development. Animal Behaviour 57:957-965.

Sedey, K. and E. Jakob. 1998. A unique “web-dome” built by egg-guarding pholcids. Journal of Arachnology 26:385-388.

Jakob, E., A. Porter, and G. Uetz. 1998. The effect of conspecifics on the timing of orb construction in a colonial spider. Journal of Arachnology26:335-341.

Kaster, J. and E. Jakob. 1997. Last-male sperm priority in a haplogyne spider: correlations between female morphology and patterns of sperm usage. Annals of the American Entomological Society 90:254-259.

Jakob, E., S. Marshall, and G. Uetz. 1996. Estimating fitness: a comparison of body condition indices. Oikos 77:61-67.

Blanchong, J., M. Summerfield, M. Popson, and E. Jakob. 1995. Chivalry in pholcid spiders revisited. Journal of Arachnology 23:165-170.

Jakob, E. M. 1994. Contests over prey by group-living pholcids (Holocnemus pluchei). Journal of Arachnology 22:39-45.

Uetz, G.W., C.S. Hieber, E. M. Jakob, R.S. Wilcox, D. Kroeger, A. McCrate, and A. Mostrum. 1994. Behaviour of orb-weaving spiders during a solar eclipse. Ethology 96:24-32.

Jackson, R.R., E.M. Jakob, M. B. Willey, and G.E. Campbell. 1993. Anti-predator defences of a web-building spider, Holocnemus pluchei(Araneae, Pholcidae). Journal of Zoology, London 229:347-352.

Jakob, E.M. 1991. Costs and benefits of group living for pholcid spiders: losing food, saving silk. Animal Behaviour 41:711-722.

Jakob, E.M. and H. Dingle. 1990. Food level and life history characteristics in a pholcid spider. Psyche 97:95-110.

Porter, A.H. and E.M. Jakob. 1990. Allozyme variation in the introduced pholcid spider Holocnemus pluchei (Araneae: Pholcidae) in California.Journal of Arachnology 18:313-319.

Textbooks and lab manual:

Goodenough, J., B. McGuire, and E. Jakob. 2009. Perspectives in Animal Behavior, 3rd edition. J. Wiley & Sons.

Jakob, E. M. and M. Hodge (eds.) 2005; revised 2009, 2012, 2018. Learning the Skills of Research: Laboratory and Field Exercises in Animal Behavior. Included as a CD with an animal behavior text published by Sinauer Press. I am also author or co-author of five chapters.

Drickamer, L., S. Vessey, and E. Jakob. 2001. Animal Behavior: Mechanisms, Ecology, Evolution. Fifth Edition. McGraw-Hill. Dubuque, Iowa.

Popular Press:

Jakob, E., A. Porter, J. Podos, B. 2010. Braun, N. Johnson, & S. Vessey. How to fail in grant writing. Chronicle of Higher Education, December 5 issue.