Do ant mimics imitate cuticular hydrocarbons of their models?

0365701 - ÚOCHB 2012 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Pekár, S. - Jiroš, Pavel
Do ant mimics imitate cuticular hydrocarbons of their models?
Animal Behaviour. Roč. 82, č. 5 (2011), s. 1193-1199. ISSN 0003-3472. E-ISSN 1095-8282
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z40550506
Keywords : Araneae * betesian mimicry * defence * Formicidae
Subject RIV: CC - Organic Chemistry
Impact factor: 3.493, year: 2011

Myrmecomorphy, or ant mimicry, is a frequent type of Batesian mimicry among invertebrates. Myrmecomorphic species possess colour pattern and morphological resemblance to ants. Mimics associate closely with models that are dangerous to the mimics. Therefore, mimics must have been under strong selection to evolve adaptations that increase their survival among foraging ants. The imitation of intraspecific chemical signals on their cuticle could provide protection against ants. We studied whether myrmecomorphic spiders imitate cuticular hydrocarbons of their models. We chose five myrmecomorphic spider species from four families and compared their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles to those of their ant models. Overall, there was a higher similarity in profiles among mimics than among ant models. Our results show that ant-mimicking spiders must use other means to evade their models to increase their survival among model ants, such as behavioural avoidance.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0200880