Herbivory in a spider through exploitation of an ant-plant mutualism

Spiders are thought to be strict predators. We describe a novel exception: Bagheera kiplingi, a Neotropical jumping spider (Salticidae) that exploits a well-studied antplant mutualism, is predominantly herbivorous. From behavioral field observations and stable-isotope analyses, we show that the main diet of this host-specific spider comprises specialized leaf tips (Beltian food bodies) from Vachellia spp. ant-acacias (formerly Acacia spp.), structures traded for protection in the plant's coevolved mutualism with Pseudomyrmex spp. ants that inhabit its hollow thorns. This is the first report of a spider that feeds primarily and deliberately on plants.

Herbivory in a spider through exploitation of an antplant mutualism
Christopher J. Meehan, Eric J. Olson, Matthew W. Reudink, T. Kurt Kyser and Robert L. Curry. 2009. Current Biology, Volume 19, Issue 19, R892-R893. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.08.049

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[KawaiiKemonomimi]

This little spider has started many threads on the arachnoboards forum. Very cute little guy.