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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		Walking like an ant: a quantitative and experimental approach to understanding locomotor mimicry in the jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria
Author(s):		Shamble PS; Hoy RR; Cohen I; Beatus T;
Address:		"Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA paul_shamble@fas.harvard.edu. Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2017
Volume:		284
Issue:		1858
Page Number:		-
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2017.0308
ISSN/ISBN:		1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Print) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Protective mimicry, in which a palatable species avoids predation by being mistaken for an unpalatable model, is a remarkable example of adaptive evolution. These complex interactions between mimics, models and predators can explain similarities between organisms beyond the often-mechanistic constraints typically invoked in studies of convergent evolution. However, quantitative studies of protective mimicry typically focus on static traits (e.g. colour and shape) rather than on dynamic traits like locomotion. Here, we use high-speed cameras and behavioural experiments to investigate the role of locomotor behaviour in mimicry by the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, comparing its movement to that of ants and non-mimicking spiders. Contrary to previous suggestions, we find mimics walk using all eight legs, raising their forelegs like ant antennae only when stationary. Mimics exhibited winding trajectories (typical wavelength = 5-10 body lengths), which resemble the winding patterns of ants specifically engaged in pheromone-trail following, although mimics walked on chemically inert surfaces. Mimics also make characteristically short (approx. 100 ms) pauses. Our analysis suggests that this makes mimics appear ant-like to observers with slow visual systems. Finally, behavioural experiments with predatory spiders yield results consistent with the protective mimicry hypothesis. These findings highlight the importance of dynamic behaviours and observer perception in mimicry"
Keywords:		Animals *Ants *Biological Mimicry Predatory Behavior *Spiders *Walking Batesian mimicry ant ant mimicry locomotion spider;
Notes:		"MedlineShamble, Paul S Hoy, Ron R Cohen, Itai Beatus, Tsevi eng England 2017/07/14 Proc Biol Sci. 2017 Jul 12; 284(1858):20170308. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0308"