Myrmecomorphy and Myrmecophily in Spiders: A Review

Cushing, Paula E.

doi:10.2307/3495552

Cited by 159 publications

(233 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…For this reason, we hypothesize that at least in some members of salticids the advantage of ant mimicry might be higher at early life stages. However, we cannot exclude the fact that in other salticids ant mimicry may benefit adults in contexts such as aggressive mimicry [1,5,36,37]. Since large salticid predators responded differently to A and AJ prey, being treated as ants by large salticids does not seem to be the major reason for the lower attack rate and mortality of small jumping spiders with ant-like appearance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ceccarelli [39] showed that the function of the 'antennal illusion' of ant-mimicking jumping spiders Myrmarachne might be regarded as a Batesian behavioural mimicry. Moreover, when antmimicking jumping spiders encountered large jumping spiders or were disturbed, they usually adopted a specific display posture resembling the threat display of ants (reviewed by [5]). This behaviour was also recorded in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In spiders, numerous species mimic other organisms in various ways, and in many of them (around 80%) ants are the models [5,6]. Myrmecomorphy has been described in more than 300 spider species belonging to 13 families and the majority is found among jumping spiders [5,7,8]. Myrmecomorphy is believed to have evolved convergently several times in families such as Salticidae and Clubionidae [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many anti-predator devices have evolved in spiders to prevent spiders from being attacked, and Batesian mimicry is one common anti-predator device commonly seen in spiders [4]. In spiders, numerous species mimic other organisms in various ways, and in many of them (around 80%) ants are the models [5,6]. Myrmecomorphy has been described in more than 300 spider species belonging to 13 families and the majority is found among jumping spiders [5,7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The function of ant mimicry in most spiders is considered as a case of Batesian mimicry, which prevents spiders from being attacked by their predators [1,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. In Salticidae, myrmecomorphy is found in 14 genera, and among them Myrmarachne is the best studied genus [5]. Members of Myrmarachne are regarded as perfect ant mimics and are very similar to ants both morphologically and behaviourally.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Salticid predation as one potential driving force of ant mimicry in jumping spiders

Huang

Cheng

et al. 2010

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Many spiders possess myrmecomorphy, and species of the jumping spider genus Myrmarachne exhibit nearly perfect ant mimicry. Most salticids are diurnal predators with unusually high visual acuity that prey on various arthropods, including conspecifics. In this study, we tested whether predation pressure from large jumping spiders is one possible driving force of perfect ant mimicry in jumping spiders. The results showed that small non-ant-mimicking jumping spiders were readily treated as prey by large ones (no matter whether heterospecific or conspecific) and suffered high attack and mortality rates. The size difference between small and large jumping spiders significantly affected the outcomes of predatory interactions between them: the smaller the juvenile jumping spiders, the higher the predation risk from large ones. The attack and mortality rates of ant-mimicking jumping spiders were significantly lower than those of non-ant-mimicking jumping spiders, indicating that a resemblance to ants could provide protection against salticid predation. However, results of multivariate behavioural analyses showed that the responses of large jumping spiders to ants and ant-mimicking salticids differed significantly. Results of this study indicate that predation pressure from large jumping spiders might be one selection force driving the evolution of nearly perfect myrmecomorphy in spiders and other arthropods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Salticid predation as one potential driving force of ant mimicry in jumping spiders

Huang

Cheng

et al. 2010

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling reveals the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons in the central nervous systems of the spiders Hogna lenta (Araneae: Lycosidae) and Phidippus regius (Araneae: Salticidae)

Auletta

Rue

Harley

et al. 2019

J of Comparative Neurology

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With over 48,000 species currently described, spiders (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Araneae) comprise one of the most diverse groups of animals on our planet, and exhibit an equally wide array of fascinating behaviors. Studies of central nervous systems (CNSs) in spiders, however, are relatively sparse, and no reports have yet characterized catecholaminergic (dopamine [DA]‐ or norepinephrine‐synthesizing) neurons in any spider species. Because these neuromodulators are especially important for sensory and motor processing across animal taxa, we embarked on a study to identify catecholaminergic neurons in the CNS of the wolf spider Hogna lenta (Lycosidae) and the jumping spider Phidippus regius (Salticidae). These neurons were most effectively labeled with an antiserum raised against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate‐limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. We found extensive catecholamine‐rich neuronal fibers in the first‐ and second‐order optic neuropils of the supraesophageal mass (brain), as well as in the arcuate body, a region of the brain thought to receive visual input and which may be involved in higher order sensorimotor integration. This structure likely shares evolutionary origins with the DA‐enriched central complex of the Mandibulata. In the subesophageal mass, we detected an extensive filigree of TH‐immunoreactive (TH‐ir) arborizations in the appendage neuromeres, as well as three prominent plurisegmental fiber tracts. A vast abundance of TH‐ir somata were located in the opisthosomal neuromeres, the largest of which appeared to project to the brain and decorate the appendage neuromeres. Our study underscores the important roles that the catecholamines likely play in modulating spider vision, higher order sensorimotor processing, and motor patterning.

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Outstanding issues in the study of antipredator defenses

Huang,

Caro

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Protective defense mechanisms are well documented across the animal kingdom, but there are still examples of antipredator defenses that do not fit easily into the current conceptualization. They either fall within the intersection of multiple mechanisms or fail to fall neatly into pre‐existing categories. Here, using Endler's predatory sequence as a framework, we identify problematic examples of antipredator defenses, separating them into protective mechanisms that are difficult to classify and those which act sequentially depending on context. We then discuss three ways of improving underlying terminological and definitional problems: (1) issues with English and polysemy, (2) overlapping aspects of similar mechanisms, and (3) unclear definitions. By scrutinizing the literature, we disentangle several opaque areas in the study of protective defense mechanisms and highlight questions that require further research. An unclear conceptual framework for protective defense mechanisms can lead to misconceptions in understanding the costs and benefits of defenses displayed by animals, while interchangeable terminologies and ambiguous definitions can hinder communication in antipredator studies.

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Myrmecomorphy and Myrmecophily in Spiders: A Review

Cited by 159 publications

References 36 publications

Salticid predation as one potential driving force of ant mimicry in jumping spiders

Salticid predation as one potential driving force of ant mimicry in jumping spiders

Tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling reveals the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons in the central nervous systems of the spiders Hogna lenta (Araneae: Lycosidae) and Phidippus regius (Araneae: Salticidae)

Outstanding issues in the study of antipredator defenses

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