Data from: Walking like an ant: a quantitative and experimental approach to understanding locomotor mimicry in the jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria

Protective mimicry, in which a palatable species avoids predation by being
mistaken for an unpalatable model, is a remarkable example of adaptive
evolution. These complex interactions between mimics, models and predators
can explain similarities between organisms beyond the often-mechanistic
constraints typically invoked in studies of convergent evolution. However,
quantitative studies of protective mimicry typically focus on static
traits (e.g. colour and shape) rather than on dynamic traits like
locomotion. Here, we use high-speed cameras and behavioural experiments to
investigate the role of locomotor behaviour in mimicry by the
ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne formicaria, comparing its
movement to that of ants and non-mimicking spiders. Contrary to previous
suggestions, we find mimics walk using all eight legs, raising their
forelegs like ant antennae only when stationary. Mimics exhibited winding
trajectories (typical wavelength = 5–10 body lengths), which resemble the
winding patterns of ants specifically engaged in pheromone-trail
following, although mimics walked on chemically inert surfaces. Mimics
also make characteristically short (approx. 100 ms) pauses. Our analysis
suggests that this makes mimics appear ant-like to observers with slow
visual systems. Finally, behavioural experiments with predatory spiders
yield results consistent with the protective mimicry hypothesis. These
findings highlight the importance of dynamic behaviours and observer
perception in mimicry.