Batesian mimicry converges towards inaccuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders

Batesian mimicry is an impressive example of convergent evolution driven by predation. However, the observation that many mimics only superficially resemble their models despite strong selective pressures is an apparent paradox. Here, we tested the ‘perfecting hypothesis’, that posits that inaccurate mimicry may represent a transitional stage at the macro-evolutionary scale by performing the hereto largest phylogenetic analysis (in terms of the number of taxa and genetic data) of ant-mimicking spiders across two speciose, but independent clades, the jumping spider tribe Myrmarachnini (Salticidae) and the sac spider sub-family Castianeirinae (Corinnidae). We found that accurate ant mimicry evolved in a gradual process in both clades, by an integration of compound traits contributing to the ant-like habitus with each trait evolving at different speeds. Accurate states were highly unstable at the macro-evolutionary scale likely because strong expression of some of these traits comes with h..., , , # Batesian mimicry converges towards inaccuracy in myrmecomorphic spiders

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd45](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd45)

## Summary

This dataset is comprised of Ultra-conserved element (UCE) sequence data, supplemental metadata about each specimen used, and morphometric measurements used to infer physical traits that exhibit ant-mimetic characteristics.

Ultra-conserved elements are short regions of a genome that retain highly similar structure across even distantly-related taxonomic groups. The \"centre\" of these elements is the most conserved, with increasing variation in the UCE as you move away from the centre. Because of this characteristic, UCEs produce an excellent phylogenetic signal at both deep and shallow nodes of a phylogeny. We used UCEs to construct both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inferences of phylogeny for two separate spider clades.

## Description of the data and file structure

### Ultra-conserved element (UCE) final alignmen...,