Data for: Imperfect ant mimicry contributes to local adaptation in a jumping spider
Description
Putative ant mimicry is a remarkable example of an evolutionary strategy that can be well integrated into the framework of natural selection and adaptation. However, challenges remain in understanding imperfect ant mimicry, i.e., its extent and consequent ecological benefits. Here, we combine trait quantification and behavioral assays to investigate imperfect ant mimicry in the jumping spider Siler collingwoodi. We performed trajectory analysis to show that the trajectory and movement patterns of S. collingwoodi generally resemble those of a few putative ant models, supporting the multiple models hypothesis. We then performed background-matching analysis, revealing that body coloration may be involved in background camouflage. We further carried out antipredation assays and found that S. collingwoodi had a significantly lower risk of predation (due to its ant-like movement pattern) than nonmimetic salticids, suggesting an overall protective effect of Batesian mimicry. Taken together, our findings quantitatively demonstrate a combination of mimicry and camouflage in S. collingwoodi and thus highlight the significance of a complex phenomenon driven by natural selection.