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

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.

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Publication Details

Journal
Biotropica
Published
2025-10-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.70126
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.67
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article

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

Robert Perger
1 citations
Biotropica
Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
1.67
article

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

Robert Perger
article en
1 citations

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.

BiotropicaVol. 57(6)
Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (BO)
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
1.67
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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A Possible Role of Turtle Ants' Gut Bacterial Symbiosis in Mimicry by a Neotropical Crab Spider — Robert Perger · Biotropica (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS