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Related Experiment Videos

Spectacular Batesian mimicry in ants.

Fuminori Ito1, Rosli Hashim, Yek Sze Huei

  • 1Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, 761-0795 Ikenobe, Miki, Japan. ito@ag.kagawa-u.ac.jp

Die Naturwissenschaften
|February 25, 2005
PubMed
Summary

A palatable ant species, Camponotus sp., mimics the unpalatable Crematogaster inflata ant in Malaysia. This Batesian mimicry, involving coloration and behavior, aids the palatable ant in predator avoidance.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Batesian mimicry involves palatable species resembling unpalatable ones to deter predators.
  • While common in arthropods mimicking social insects, Batesian mimicry among social insects themselves is rare.
  • This study investigates a potential case of Batesian mimicry within ant species in Malaysia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and investigate a potential Batesian mimicry relationship between two ant species in Malaysia.
  • To test the hypothesis that Camponotus sp. mimics Crematogaster inflata for predator avoidance.
  • To determine the palatability of both ant species and the role of visual cues in predator recognition.

Main Methods:

  • Field observations of Camponotus sp. exclusively on Crematogaster inflata foraging trails.

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  • Assessment of interspecies interactions, including feeding behavior and aggression.
  • Palatability tests using chicks as predators, exposing them to both ant species and observing predatory responses.

    • Main Results:

    • Camponotus sp. was observed exclusively on Crematogaster inflata trails, sharing similar coloration and locomotion.
    • Camponotus sp. workers consumed prey offered to C. inflata, despite being attacked, indicating commensalism.
    • Predator experiments showed Camponotus sp. is palatable, while C. inflata is unpalatable; chicks avoided Camponotus sp. after tasting C. inflata.

    Conclusions:

    • Camponotus sp. exhibits Batesian mimicry of the unpalatable ant Crematogaster inflata.
    • The visual similarity in color patterns and behavior plays a significant role in predator avoidance for Camponotus sp.
    • This finding represents a rare instance of Batesian mimicry among social insects.