Nature never ceases to amaze us with its incredible adaptations. We all know about camouflage in animals, but did you know that some species can mimic the movements of other creatures to evade predators? Take the jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, for example, which mimics the limb use and general movement of ants to perfection. But what about the colorful jumping spider Siler collingwoodi, which exhibits imperfect mimicry? Ecologist Hua Zeng and colleagues from Peking University in China were intrigued and decided to run some lab experiments to determine how this might confer protective benefits. Their findings, published in the journal iScience, reveal that S. collingwoodi relies on a combination of imperfect ant mimicry and coloration camouflage to ward off predators. Check out the video comparisons of ant walking and spider mimicry – it’s truly fascinating!
Everyone has seen little jumping spiders around their home or outside in their garden, but the tiny creatures have a unique strategy to avoid becoming someone else’s snack. According to a recent study, jumping spiders have been found to mimic ants in order to keep themselves out of harm’s way.
These spiders, which are no bigger than the head of a penny, perform an elaborate charade typically seen in nature with larger species. During their pretending, they imitate the way ants walk and move, as well as the shape of their body. The deception goes beyond looks and body language, though, as the spiders even create vibrations in the air to sound like their ant counterparts.
The deception could be integral for the spiders’ survival. According to the study, predators that might want to enjoy the little spider as a meal are dissuaded by a conflict of interest. Either the predator would eat an ant, a much more plentiful meal, or it would have to slow down and carefully inspect the spider to be sure of its prey.
However, the study also notes that the spider’s mimicry isn’t foolproof. It’s not uncommon for the pretending spiders to be inspected and eaten as well. It’s just that the action of pretending gives them a chance either to escape or end up as a much less tasty snack than satisfying the hunger of a predator.
Mimicry appears to be an important defense mechanism for the tiny spiders, and this recent study shows the impressive lengths to which they go to save themselves. While their trick may not always work, it’s a clever and creative way the spiders give themselves an edge—and survive a little longer.
