"Rare Resin Fossil Reveals Spider Mimicking Ant Behavior"

Paleobiologist George Poinar Jr. has uncovered a rare find of a spider fossilized in resin, which he named Myrmarachne colombiana, that mimics the appearance of an ant. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary strategy of certain spider species to deceive predators by resembling less desirable prey. The fossil, found in copal from Colombia, provides insight into the complex adaptations and behaviors of these ant-mimicking spiders, challenging previous notions about the origins of insect habits and suggesting a level of reasoning and intelligence in their mimicry.