Types of mimicry: Wasmannian

Hello everyone!

Last week we met two types of mimicry. Today we will meet the third type. This type is called Wasmannian Mimicry because it was discovered by scientist Wasmann. 

Wasmannian Mimicry has different strategies. The stimuli used depend on the way in which the host recognizes conspecifics. Are chemical and tactile stimuli.

In this mimicry mimetic species does not adversely affect the species imitated because each species look for different prey and the presence of mimic has no effect on the reproductive success of the model. They basically show commensalism.

A well-known example are Spiders called Gamasomorpha maschwitzi. They lay their eggs in nests of ants, the eggs are similar to those of ants and when the spiders hatch they have a type of carbohydrate in your body that makes you smell like the ants. Spiders do this because inside the nests of ants they can have more protection and food.

Spiders have a body chemical composition that makes ants calm so they can enter the nests. Spiders also adopt some physical characteristics from ants what makes easier enter in nests. Spiders feed on rests of substances found inside the nests but do not eat the same food that ants, that means their presence does not affect the life of these insects.

I believe that it is awesome. How it happened? A lot of theories try explain that. We will see some theories and more fantastic examples in the next weeks. 

Reference

Capinera, JL (editor) 2008, Encyclopedia of Entomology,  Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 4th edn, Florida