The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider

被引:29
|
作者
Jackson, Robert R. [1 ,2 ]
Nelson, Ximena J. [1 ,3 ]
Salm, Kathryn [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Canterbury, Sch Biol Sci, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
[2] ICIPE, Mbita Point, Kenya
[3] Macquarie Univ, Ctr Integrat Study Anim Behav, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
关键词
Batesian mimicry; Crematogaster; Myrmarachne; Salticidae; social spiders;
D O I
10.1080/03014220809510118
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
Myrmarachne melanotarsa, an ant-like jumping spider (Salticidae) from East Africa, is an accurate mimic of Crematogaster sp. and associates unusually closely with its models. M. melanotarsa is remarkable in that it forms dense aggregations and builds large nest complexes (numerous individually-occupied nests connected to each other by silk). Other salticids (Pseudicius spp., Menemerus spp.) live with M. melanotarsa in the same nest complex. These aggregations, which can exceed 50 conspecific individuals per colony, are considerably larger than those few previously described, and seem to have primarily a protective function. We provide baseline information on the natural history of M. melanotarsa, paying particular attention to predatory behaviour and association with Crematogaster sp., and fit this within current theory on the function of sociality in spiders. Other unusual behaviour of M. melanotarsa includes "mouthing", in which the spider opens and closes its chelicerae while pressing its mouthparts against nest silk. We investigated the role of prior presence of Crematogaster sp. on nest silk in eliciting this previously unreported behaviour.
引用
收藏
页码:225 / 235
页数:11
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