Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2002 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Biological Journal of the Linnean Society |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Araneae; Zodarion; ants; Batesian mimicry; aggressive mimicry; behaviour; setosity; tactile cue |
| Description | Ant-eating spiders, Zodarion germanicum and Zodarion rubidum, were found to resemble ants structurally and behaviourally. Z. germanicum mimics large dark ants, such as Formica cinerea, whereas Z. rubidum resembles red ants, e.g. Myrmica sabuleti. Thus these spiders are generalised Batesian mimics. The two spiders use aggressive mimicry during prey capture. When the spider carries a captured ant it will try to pass by approaching ants using special deceiving behaviour, which is based on imitation of ants nestmate recognition. The spider first tapped the antennae of the curious ant with legs I, then exposed its prey which the ant antennated. The distal part of the first legs of Zodarion are almost without macrosetae similar to the antennae of ants. Additionally, all legs are covered with flattened incised setae, which imitate the dense setosity of ants limbs. These remarkable microstructural imitations are believed to improve imitation of tactile signals by spiders. |
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