Multiple mimetic forms in an ant-mimicking clubionid spider.
Castianeira rica mimics about five classes of ant models. The multiple mimetic forms result from (i) sexual dimorphism, (ii) color variation in the adult female, and (iii) developmental changes in the preadult instars. A congeneric, sympatric, and nonmimetic species, Castianeira alba, acts as an evolutionary "control" for comparison.
D000005:Abdomen; D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004463:Ecology; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D008954:Models, Biological; D010858:Pigmentation; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013112:Spiders / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification