Bucranium (spider)
Encyclopedia
Bucranium taurifrons is a species
of ant-mimicking crab spider
s from South America
, the only species in the Genus Bucranium. It is found in Venezuela
, Peru
, Brazil
and Paraguay
.
Like the crab spider Aphantochilus
, it mimic ants of the genus Cephalotes
(probably C. atratus), which are their preferred prey. It also carries dead ants.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of ant-mimicking crab spider
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 South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, the only species in the Genus Bucranium. It is found in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
.
Like the crab spider Aphantochilus
Aphantochilus
Aphantochilus is a small genus of ant-mimicking crab spiders from Central to South America.The three known species mimic ants of the genus Cephalotes , which are their preferred prey....
, it 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. It also carries dead ants.