Aphantochilus
Encyclopedia
Aphantochilus is a small genus of ant-mimicking crab spider
s from Central to South America.
The three known species mimic ants of the genus Cephalotes
(probably C. atratus), which are their preferred prey.
A. rogersi is a polymorphic mimic: some individuals use C. atratus as a model species, while others resemble C. pusillus. It also carries dead ants.
Crab spider
Crab spider is a common name applied loosely to many species of spiders, but most nearly consistently to members of the family Thomisidae...
s from Central to South America.
The three known species mimic ants of the genus Cephalotes
Cephalotes
Cephalotes is a Neotropical genus of ant species, all sharing the same odd head style, which tend to be mainly arboreal, and all appear to be gliding ants, with the ability to "parachute" and steer their fall so as to land back on the tree trunk rather than fall to the ground, which is often...
(probably C. atratus), which are their preferred prey.
A. rogersi is a polymorphic mimic: some individuals use C. atratus as a model species, while others resemble C. pusillus. It also carries dead ants.
Species
- Aphantochilus cambridgei Canals, 1933 (Argentina)
- Aphantochilus inermipes SimonEugène SimonEugène Simon was a French arachnologist. His many taxonomic contributions include categorizing and naming many spiders, as well as creating genera such as Anelosimus, Psellocoptus and Phlogius....
, 1929 (Brazil) - Aphantochilus rogersi O. P.-Cambridge, 1870 (Panama to Paraguay)