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

Abstract:

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 individuallyoccupied 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.

Subscribe to access this work and thousands more

Report

Subscribe & Access

Overall Rating

0

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

APA

Jackson, R , Jackson, R , Jackson, R , Jackson, R , Jackson, R & Jackson, R (2024). The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-natural-history-of-myrmarachne-melanotarsa-a-social-ant-mimicking-jumping-spider

MLA 8th

Jackson, Robert et. al. "The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider" Afribary. Afribary, 10 Mar. 2024, https://afribary.com/works/the-natural-history-of-myrmarachne-melanotarsa-a-social-ant-mimicking-jumping-spider. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

MLA7

Jackson, Robert, Robert Jackson , Robert Jackson , Robert Jackson , Robert Jackson and Robert Jackson . "The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider". Afribary, Afribary, 10 Mar. 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/the-natural-history-of-myrmarachne-melanotarsa-a-social-ant-mimicking-jumping-spider >.

Chicago

Jackson, Robert , Jackson, Robert , Jackson, Robert , Jackson, Robert , Jackson, Robert and Jackson, Robert . "The natural history of Myrmarachne melanotarsa, a social ant-mimicking jumping spider" Afribary (2024). Accessed April 28, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/the-natural-history-of-myrmarachne-melanotarsa-a-social-ant-mimicking-jumping-spider

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

0

Document Details

Related Works