Living with the enemy: behavioral study of Myrmecicultor chihuahuensis Ramírez, Grismado & Ubick (Araneae: Myrmecicultoridae)
Abstract
The spider, Myrmecicultor chihuahuensis Ramírez, Grismado & Ubick 2019 is a myrmecophage. In an earlier study, we found that the spider's cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile overlapped with that of its prey. In the present study, we photographed nests of Novomessor ants to determine whether these spiders live inside the ant nest with their prey or in the vicinity of the colony. We set up two 35 mm cameras over two main entrances of one nest of N. albisetosus (Mayr 1886) such that images would be captured of the ant colony surface (including the entrances) every 15 – 60 sec over five consecutive nights. These images included five showing M. chihuahuensis directly at one of the nest entrances investigating dead ants. The spider was not seen away from the entrance. This study provides evidence suggesting that this myrmecophage may live inside the colony with the ants it eats.
Paula E. Cushing, Richard M. Wicker, Norman V. Horner "Living with the enemy: behavioral study of Myrmecicultor chihuahuensis Ramírez, Grismado & Ubick (Araneae: Myrmecicultoridae)," The Journal of Arachnology, 52(1), 71-74, (15 April 2024) https://doi.org/10.1636/JoA-S-22-063
