Abstract
This paper provides a summary of the extensive theoretical and empirical work that has been carried out in recent years testing the adaptational significance of various spider-ant associations. Hundreds of species of spiders have evolved close relationships with ants and can be classified as myrmecomorphs, myrmecophiles, or myrmecophages. Myrmecomorphs are Batesian mimics. Their close morphological and behavioral resemblance to ants confers strong survival advantages against visually hunting predators. Some species of spiders have become integrated into the ant society as myrmecophiles or symbionts. These spider myrmecophiles gain protection against their own predators, live in an environment with a stable climate, and are typically surrounded by abundant food resources. The adaptations by which this integration is made possible are poorly known, although it is hypothesized that most spider myrmecophiles are chemical mimics and some are even phoretic on their hosts. The third type of spider-ant association discussed is myrmecophagy—or predatory specialization on ants. A table of known spider myrmecophages is provided as is information on their biology and hunting strategies. Myrmecophagy provides these predators with an essentially unlimited food supply and may even confer other protections to the spiders.
Highlights
The majority of spiders are solitary generalist predators of insects [1]
I summarized what was known about the biology and identities of ant-mimicking, or myrmecomorphic, spiders as well as spiders living in close proximity to or living within ant colonies, known as myrmecophiles
Myrmecophiles are defined as ant guests, arthropods that have evolved close associations with ant species, often living alongside the ants or within the ant colonies [2, 3, 5, 62]
Summary
The majority of spiders are solitary generalist predators of insects [1]. Most spiders, as with most arthropod predators, are averse to ant predation because ants are generally aggressive, some are venomous, and most are noxious for a variety of reasons [2]. The present paper supplements a review I published in 1997 [5] identifying and describing the biology of spiders that are found in association with ants. I summarized what was known about the biology and identities of ant-mimicking, or myrmecomorphic, spiders as well as spiders living in close proximity to or living within ant colonies, known as myrmecophiles. That review included tables listing known spider myrmecomorphs and myrmecophiles. The purpose of the present paper is not to replicate information contained in the 1997 article but, instead, to provide a summary of the extensive theoretical and empirical work that has been carried out in recent years testing the adaptational significance of the various spiderant associations. I summarize instances of a different kind of spider-ant association—that of predatorprey relationships, or myrmecophagy—and provide a table of known species of spiders that feed on or specialize on ants
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