Mandible-Powered Escape Jumps in Trap-Jaw Ants Increase Survival Rates during Predator-Prey Encounters

摘要: Animals use a variety of escape mechanisms to increase the probability surviving predatory attacks. Antipredator defenses can be elaborate, making their evolutionary origin unclear. Trap-jaw ants are known for rapid and powerful mandible strikes, some species have been observed direct those strikes at substrate, thereby launching themselves into air away from potential threat. This mechanism has never examined in natural context. We studied mandible-powered jumping Odontomachus brunneus during interactions with common ant predator: pit-building antlions. that while trap-jaw workers escaped antlion pits by running about half interactions, 15% they jumping. To test whether jumps improved individual survival, we experimentally prevented measured rate. Workers unrestrained mandibles significantly more frequently than restrained mandibles. Our results indicate predators. These also provide charismatic example co-option, where trait evolved one function (predation) co-opted another (defense).