Herbivory in a spider through exploitation of an ant-plant mutualism.
Curr Biol
; 19(19): R892-3, 2009 Oct 13.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19825348
ABSTRACT
Spiders are thought to be strict predators. We describe a novel exception Bagheera kiplingi, a Neotropical jumping spider (Salticidae) that exploits a well-studied ant-plant mutualism, is predominantly herbivorous. From behavioral field observations and stable-isotope analyses, we show that the main diet of this host-specific spider comprises specialized leaf tips (Beltian food bodies; Figure 1A) from Vachellia spp. ant-acacias (formerly Acacia spp.), structures traded for protection in the plant's coevolved mutualism with Pseudomyrmex spp. ants that inhabit its hollow thorns. This is the first report of a spider that feeds primarily and deliberately on plants.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Formigas
/
Aranhas
/
Simbiose
/
Comportamento Alimentar
/
Fabaceae
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Mexico
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Biol
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article