A Possible Role of Turtle Ants' Gut Bacterial Symbiosis in Mimicry by a Neotropical Crab Spider

Abstract

ABSTRACT Turtle ants ( Cephalotes spp.) forage on bird droppings because their symbiosis with gut bacteria enables nitrogen uptake. Females of the Neotropical crab spider Aphantochilus rogersi guarding exposed white egg sacs resemble giant turtle ants ( Cephalotes atratus ) at droppings. This ecological context may combine Batesian protection, clutch defense, and predation on turtle ants.