Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in
myrmecomorphic spiders

J 2021

Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders

DO MONTE GONZALEZ DE SEGOVIA, Julio and Stanislav PEKÁR

Basic information

Original name

Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders

Authors

DO MONTE GONZALEZ DE SEGOVIA, Julio (76 Brazil, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Stanislav PEKÁR (703 Slovakia, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Evolutionary Ecology, Springer Science, 2021, 0269-7653

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10511 Environmental sciences

Country of publisher

Netherlands

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 2.074

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/21:00119427

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9

UT WoS

000682486600001

Keywords in English

Batesian mimicry; Imperfect mimicry; Relaxed selection; Ant defenses; Mimetic resemblance

Abstract

V originále

Batesian mimics benefit from their phenotypic similarity to their models. An apparent paradox is the presence of many inaccurate mimics in nature. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain their existence, including the relaxed selection hypothesis, which postulates that the level of mimetic resemblance avoided by predators is context-dependent. More specifically, predators avoid mimics of lower resemblance that imitate highly noxious models due to the high cost of mistakenly attacking such models. We tested this hypothesis using data on 93 pairs of ant-mimicking spider species and their models. We measured the mimetic resemblance in each spider to its putative model. Then, we estimated the noxiousness of ant models on the basis of their defensive arsenal (i.e. mandibles, spines, sting, and chemical defense). In support of the relaxed selection hypothesis, we found a negative correlation between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy. The proportion of the variability in mimetic accuracy explained by model noxiousness was not high, indicating that other factors influence the evolution of mimetic accuracy. Finally, this comparative analysis provides evidence of the influence of model noxiousness on mimetic accuracy in a Batesian mimicry system.

Links

GA19-09323S, research and development project

Name: Mimetické komplexy a evoluce nepřesných mimetiků

Investor: Czech Science Foundation

Citovat

DO MONTE GONZALEZ DE SEGOVIA, Julio and Stanislav PEKÁR. Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders. Evolutionary Ecology. Springer Science, 2021, vol. 35, 5-6, p. 657-668. ISSN 0269-7653. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9.

@article{1810540,
   author = {do Monte Gonzalez de Segovia, Julio and Pekár, Stanislav},
   article_number = {5-6},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9},
   keywords = {Batesian mimicry; Imperfect mimicry; Relaxed selection; Ant defenses; Mimetic resemblance},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0269-7653},
   journal = {Evolutionary Ecology},
   title = {Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders},
   url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9},
   volume = {35},
   year = {2021}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1810540
AU  - do Monte Gonzalez de Segovia, Julio - Pekár, Stanislav
PY  - 2021
TI  - Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders
JF  - Evolutionary Ecology
VL  - 35
IS  - 5-6
SP  - 657-668
EP  - 657-668
PB  - Springer Science
SN  - 02697653
KW  - Batesian mimicry
KW  - Imperfect mimicry
KW  - Relaxed selection
KW  - Ant defenses
KW  - Mimetic resemblance
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9
N2  - Batesian mimics benefit from their phenotypic similarity to their models. An apparent paradox is the presence of many inaccurate mimics in nature. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain their existence, including the relaxed selection hypothesis, which postulates that the level of mimetic resemblance avoided by predators is context-dependent. More specifically, predators avoid mimics of lower resemblance that imitate highly noxious models due to the high cost of mistakenly attacking such models. We tested this hypothesis using data on 93 pairs of ant-mimicking spider species and their models. We measured the mimetic resemblance in each spider to its putative model. Then, we estimated the noxiousness of ant models on the basis of their defensive arsenal (i.e. mandibles, spines, sting, and chemical defense). In support of the relaxed selection hypothesis, we found a negative correlation between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy. The proportion of the variability in mimetic accuracy explained by model noxiousness was not high, indicating that other factors influence the evolution of mimetic accuracy. Finally, this comparative analysis provides evidence of the influence of model noxiousness on mimetic accuracy in a Batesian mimicry system.
ER  -

DO MONTE GONZALEZ DE SEGOVIA, Julio and Stanislav PEKÁR. Relationship between model noxiousness and mimetic accuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders. \textit{Evolutionary Ecology}. Springer Science, 2021, vol.~35, 5-6, p.~657-668. ISSN~0269-7653. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10682-021-10126-9.

Detailed Information on Publication Record