Bocus

[Title Page] [List of Genera] Comparison of Drawings] [Regional Keys to Genera] [Descriptions of New Taxa] [Geographical Distribution] [Color Photographs] See also Catalogue of Salticidae [ Title page] List of Genera - names beginning with: A BC DEFG HIJKL MN OPQ RS TUVWXYZ References: Authors beginning with: A BC DEFG HIJKL MN OPQ RS TUVWXYZ [See also Catalogue of Salticidae: Bocus]

Salticidae: Diagnostic Drawings Library

by Jerzy Proszynski 1997

Genus Bocus Peckham et Peckham, 1892

COLOR PHOT - Sp. from Panay I.

[TYPE SPECIES B. excelsus ] [angusticollis][ B. philippinensis]

Diagnoses of genera of South East Asia: 51.3 Ant mimics, coloured black, brown or amber. Found on shrubs, on plants and in leaf litter. General remarks: Most, and the best, ant mimicking salticids do not prey on ants but appear to gain protection by living close to ants. These spiders are more or less coloured black, brown or amber depending on the colour of the ants they are mimicking. When running with ants, it is the movements that the spider has to make in order to avoid and keep the ants at an acceptably safe distance that signals the presence of the spider. Other, but not nearly so good, ant mimicking spiders actually prey on ants. It is fascinating and rewarding to watch one of these salticids stalking and killing an ant. Another useful clue to the presence of ant mimicking salticids is when an observer sees what appears to be an ant emerging from a silken cell! Genus: Bocus (5-6; 5-12). There are only two species in Bocus [now 3 - J. Proszynski]. The genus differs from Myrmarachne in microscopic details and in the field its appearance is indistinguishable from Myrmarachne .
Distribution: Bocus is known only from the Philippines. Murphy & Murphy 2000: 304. By courtesy of the Authors' and the Malaysian Nature Society.