Ann Rypstra is an ecologist interested in predator/prey interactions and how those interactions might influence the evolution of spacing patterns, species interactions and social behavior. Because spiders are generalist predators capable of taking a wide range of prey species, they are an excellent model organism for experimental studies. A variety of research projects are underway at the ERC. Food web studies aim to understand the mechanisms that enhance predator densities and reduce herbivory. In other studies, we create artificial landscapes in which we can manipulate the size and distribution ofgood habitat and test the effects of habitat fragmentation and destruction on species diversity, movement patterns and dispersal. Another line of research investigates the effects of predators on the reproductive behavior and reproductive success of a prey species. This work is complemented by laboratory studies focused on the behavior of each species; including their movement patterns, foraging behavior, and use of space. Since the species overlap broadly in habitat use but regularly prey on one another, we have been attempting to understand the information they use to recognize one another and how that information alters their behaviors in such a way that these two predators can coexist.