Ant Mimicking: Salticid And Thomicid Spiders Fauna Of Indian Institute Of Science, Bengaluru., Karnataka

Research Article
Nalini Bai G and Ravindranatha B.P
DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2017.0804.0165
Subject: 
science
KeyWords: 
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Abstract: 

A survey of spider fauna of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, was carried out. A total of 40 species of spiders belonging to 33 genera under 14 families were recorded in the premises of IISc. The documentation of spider fauna was done for the first time. Amongst all the species recorded, two ant mimicking spiders namely Myrmarachne plataleoides (MacLeay, 1839) and Amyciaea forticeps (O.P.Cambridge 1873) belonging to the families’ salticidae and thomicidae respectively, were recorded. The videography of the same was done. And the behavior was studied. In both the spiders the mimicry is so perfect that it is difficult even for an expert Arachnologist to differentiate the spider from an ant. They often live with the ants they mimic. The gait is ant like. The first pair of legs is held like antennae. They show close resemblance to the common red ant, Oecophylla species. Key words: IISc., Arachnologist, Oecophylla