In a new study, scientists revealed this species’ incredible ability to adapt to the environment and mimic insects.
Low spiders (Siler collingwoodi) are a type of jumping spiders. But in a new study, SciTechDaily caught the attention of scientists for their amazing camouflage skills and their use of ant mimicry as a defense against predators.
Researchers have discovered that one species of colorful jumping spider uses two lines of defense at once, which helps them avoid being eaten by predators: they are masked by plants and mimic the movements of ants. The results of the study show that this tactic helps them effectively defend themselves against other spiders, but unfortunately it doesn’t work on praying mantises.
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Imitating ants is actually a great defensive option because it’s not very pleasant to eat them. The truth is, ants often have spiny defenses and biting jaws that they will use at the first opportunity, and many contain chemical repellent or poison. This is why siler collingwoodi spiders copy their movements to scare off predators.
In the new study, the scientists focused on figuring out how accurate their mimicry was, whether it mimicked multiple ant species, and how effective such tactics actually were at protecting against predators. Also, scientists studied the role of bright colors in the life of a jumping spider.
Siler collingwoodi has a very bright body color, unlike other spiders that mimic ant behavior and are black or brown in color, according to Peking University ecologist Hua Zeng, first author of the study.
During the study, the scientists collected spiders mimicking wild ants from four different geographic locations in Hainan, southern China, and transported them to the lab. For comparison, they collected five species of ants that could be great role models, as well as another jumping spider species that doesn’t mimic the behavior of ants.
Next, the researchers observed the ants and spiders, and then compared and described their behavior, specifically how they moved their speed of movement, acceleration, and trajectory of movement.
The results of the study show that Siler collingwoodi doesn’t actually jump like most jumping spiders, but moves like ants: they lift their front legs to mimic the movements of their insect antennae, wiggle their bellies, and raise their legs to move like an ant. The researchers also found that the spiders’ walking style most closely matched that of the three smaller ant species, which are also closer in size.
According to Tseng, mimicking the gait of not one particular ant species but several ant species at the same time can apparently be beneficial for spiders, as it allows them to expand their habitat.
In further research, the scientists examined the protection of spiders from two of the most likely predators:
- a similarly sized jumping spider (Portia labiata) with color vision that specializes in preying on other spiders;
- The praying mantis, a generalist hunter with a monochrome visual system.
To determine the role of color camouflage, the scientists simulated how both predators would perceive Siler collingwoodi compared to other species, against the background of two plants where this species lives: the red-flowered West Indian jasmine (Ixora chinensis) and the Fujian tea tree (Carmona). microphyll) . The results of the study show that ant-mimicking spiders camouflage themselves better on the jasmine plant than on the tea tree.
The researchers conducted 17 different tests, 5 of which spiders tried to attack, and this test was always aimed at non-mimic spiders. However, tests have also shown that this type of protection, unfortunately, does not work on praying mantises – they attack regardless of the jumping spiders’ mimicry abilities.
Researchers have also discovered that the loss of just one limb of a spider completely impairs its defenses and ability to mimic, the researchers believe they can no longer mimic the insects’ movements effectively.
Previously Focus He wrote that scientists have discovered that some of the world’s largest spiders are extremely shy.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.