Locomotor mimicry

The complex interaction between mimics, models, and predators (sometimes called observers) can help explain similarities amongst species beyond ideas that emerge from evolutionary comparative approaches.

However, the benefit of avoiding predation appears to outweigh the increased energy cost, because mimicking animals tend to have higher survival rates than their non-mimicking counterparts.

[4] These mimics are capable of antennal illusions and similar gait patterns as an ant, which is shown in the jumping spider family (Araneae, Salticidae).

Mimetic jumping spiders imitate the zig-zag trajectories of ants, which appears to be beneficial for avoiding predators that are from an elevated vantage point.

[5] However, further analysis revealed that the spiders only do this whilst stationary, which leads to the assumption that there may be a limit to the neural circuitry underlying limb movement that does not allow them to move on 6 legs.

Another example of aerial locomotor mimicry is found in the common drone fly (Eristalis tenax) and its presumed model, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera).