Aggressive use of Batesian mimicry by an ant-like jumping spider

Author:

Nelson Ximena J.1,Jackson Robert R.12

Affiliation:

1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

2. International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Thomas Odhiambo Campus, PO Box 30, Mbita Point, Kenya

Abstract

Batesian and aggressive mimicry are united by deceit: Batesian mimics deceive predators and aggressive mimics deceive prey. This distinction is blurred by Myrmarachne melanotarsa , an ant-like jumping spider (Salticidae). Besides often preying on salticids, ants are well defended against most salticids that might target them as potential prey. Earlier studies have shown that salticids identify ants by their distinctive appearance and avoid them. They also avoid ant-like salticids from the genus Myrmarachne. Myrmarachne melanotarsa is an unusual species from this genus because it typically preys on the eggs and juveniles of ant-averse salticid species. The hypothesis considered here is that, for M. melanotarsa , the distinction between Batesian and aggressive mimicry is blurred. We tested this by placing female Menemerus sp. and their associated hatchling within visual range of M. melanotarsa , its model, and various non-ant-like arthropods. Menemerus is an ant-averse salticid species. When seeing ants or ant mimics, Menemerus females abandoned their broods more frequently than when seeing non-ant-like arthropods or in control tests (no arthropods visible), as predicted by our hypothesis that resembling ants functions as a predatory ploy.

Publisher

The Royal Society

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)

Reference21 articles.

1. Contributions to an insect fauna of the Amazon Valley. Lepidoptera: Heliconidae;Bates H. W.;Trans. Entomol. Soc.,1862

2. A protective function for aggressive mimicry?

3. Myrmecomorphy and Myrmecophily in Spiders: A Review

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