Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants

PEKÁR, Stanislav and Jií KRÁL. Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2002, vol. 75, No 4, p. 517-532. ISSN 0024-4066.

Basic information

• Original name: Mimicry complex in two central European zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): how Zodarion deceives ants
• Name in Czech: Komplex mimikrí u dvou středoevropských mravčíků (Araneae: Zodariidae): jak Zodarion klame mravence?
• Authors: PEKÁR, Stanislav (703 Slovakia, guarantor) and Jií KRÁL (203 Czech Republic).
• Edition: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2002, 0024-4066.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 1.705
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/02:00009830
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• UT WoS: 000174959200009
• Keywords in English: Araneae; Zodarion; ants; Batesian mimicry; aggressive mimicry; behaviour; setosity; tactile cue
• Tags: aggressive mimicry, ants, Araneae, Batesian mimicry, behaviour, setosity, tactile cue, zodarion

Abstract

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.

Abstract (in Czech)

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.

Links

• MSM 143100010, plan (intention): Name: Časoprostorová dynamika biodiverzity v ekosystémech střední Evropy.

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Spatiotemporal biodiversity dynamics in ecosystems of Central Europe