Submission Title
333— Effectiveness of Batesian Mimicry in the Ant Mimicking Spider Myrmarachne formicaria
Submission Type
Poster
Start Date
April 2020
Abstract
Myrmarachne formicaria is a non-native ant-mimicking spider that was first recorded in New York in 2006. Little is known about its natural history in its native range in Europe and Asia or in its newly colonized range in North America. Some spider species are Batesian mimics that resemble ants in order to avoid being eaten, since many potential predators will not prey on ants. To assess the effectiveness of Batesian mimicry in this species, we staged encounters with a larger salticid spider species that could be a potential predator of M. formicaria. In total, 12 predator spiders were observed with ant-mimicking spiders, non-mimic salticid spiders, and ants (Formica glacialis). Behaviors were analyzed through video recordings to observe if specific behaviors increased likeliness of survival or were correlated with greater predator spider aggression. Initially, we found that predator spiders were more likely to attack or kill non-mimicking spiders than ant-mimicking spiders. However, predators later began killing ant-mimicking spiders more frequently, a possible influence a longer duration of captivity. These experiments serve as an important step in learning about this species’ interactions with native species in its newly colonized range.
Recommended Citation
Richman, Alanna and Dipzinski, Bea, "333— Effectiveness of Batesian Mimicry in the Ant Mimicking Spider Myrmarachne formicaria" (2020). GREAT Day Posters. 15.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2020/posters-2020/15
Included in
333— Effectiveness of Batesian Mimicry in the Ant Mimicking Spider Myrmarachne formicaria
Myrmarachne formicaria is a non-native ant-mimicking spider that was first recorded in New York in 2006. Little is known about its natural history in its native range in Europe and Asia or in its newly colonized range in North America. Some spider species are Batesian mimics that resemble ants in order to avoid being eaten, since many potential predators will not prey on ants. To assess the effectiveness of Batesian mimicry in this species, we staged encounters with a larger salticid spider species that could be a potential predator of M. formicaria. In total, 12 predator spiders were observed with ant-mimicking spiders, non-mimic salticid spiders, and ants (Formica glacialis). Behaviors were analyzed through video recordings to observe if specific behaviors increased likeliness of survival or were correlated with greater predator spider aggression. Initially, we found that predator spiders were more likely to attack or kill non-mimicking spiders than ant-mimicking spiders. However, predators later began killing ant-mimicking spiders more frequently, a possible influence a longer duration of captivity. These experiments serve as an important step in learning about this species’ interactions with native species in its newly colonized range.
Comments
Sponsored by Jennifer Apple
Selected for presentation at the Northeast Natural History Conference in Stamford, Connecticut (Conference Cancelled).