Natural history and karyotype of some ant-eating zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae) from Israel
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2005 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Arachnology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | Myrmecophagy; specialization; mimicry; Formicidae; chromosomes |
| Description | Natural history, including phenology, circadian activity, mimicry, reproduction, prey specialization, and karyotype, was studied in the zodariid spiders Trygettus sexoculatus, Zodarion cyrenaicum, Z. lutipes, and Z. nitidum (Zodariidae, Zodariinae) found in Israel. The spiders were active throughout the year, with maximum seasonal activity in the summer. Two distinct reproductive periods were found for Z. cyrenaicum and for Z. nitidum, one in May and the other in November. Individuals of species studied were observed hunting only in the morning. Three zodariid species were found to generally mimic ants: Trygettus sexoculatus mimicked tiny yellow-brown ants such as Monomorium niloticum, Z. cyrenaicum mimicked large black ants such as Messor arenarius, and Z. lutipes mimicked large yellow-brown ants such as Camponotus fellah. |
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