Transformational Mimicry in a Myrmecomorphic Spider

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Authors

PEKÁR Stanislav TSAI Yun-Yun MICHALKO Radek

Year of publication 2020
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source The American Naturalist
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Science

Citation
Web https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/709426
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/709426
Keywords Batesian mimicry; myrmecomorphy; Leptorchestes; mantis; Pisaura
Description Species that are Batesian mimics during postembryonic development shift between mimetic models as they grow in size. However, it has not yet been tested whether these successive mimetic phenotypes are similarly protected from predators. Early-instar phenotypes could represent an inaccurate phenotype or an accurate phenotype because of selection from different predators. Here, we tested the hypotheses of transformational Batesian mimicry in the ant-mimicking jumping spiderLeptochestes berolinensis. We quantified the mimetic accuracy of different ontogenetic stages to potential ant models by using a multitrait approach. We measured movement, body profile, body size, and coloration. Analysis revealed adults to be more accurate mimics than juveniles. Adults were similar to smaller morphs ofCamponotusorLasiusants, whereas juveniles were more similar toLasiusandColobopsisants. We tested whether predators, mantises, andPisauraspiders were deceived by mimics after having experience with ant models. These predators never captured any ant or a mimic but always captured the nonmyrmecomorphic spider. We conclude that L. berolinensisis a Batesian mimic of ants undergoing transformational mimicry, with all stages being accurate mimics.
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