Abundant tiny turtle ants can foster notably speciose mimicry complexes

Abstract

In the current study, I report a single‐site mimicry complex involving 20 arthropods from 12 families in five orders resembling the small turtle ant Cephalotes pusillus. The complex is the most species‐rich single‐site complex with predominately Batesian mimics that has been reported so far. Considering that small turtle ants are likely less defended than highly noxious butterflies or aculeate Hymenoptera with potent stingers, possible factors explaining the high species richness of the complex may include high model abundance, small body size and easy to develop morphological resemblance.