How ants win the fight for habitat resources against spiders

In the dry forests of Australia the bulldog ant Myrmecia pyriformis and the social huntsman spider Delena cancerides constantly battle for the same resources, as they forage at the same time.
The bulldog ant Myrmecia pyriformis has the record for the most dangerous ant species, having a venom filled sting, strong piercing jaws and the capability to jump at and chase any would be attackers of their nest.

The social huntsman spider Delena cancerides is as the name suggests a social species in which the females build well maintained nests amongst loose tree bark where they can live amongst several generations of offspring.
A study was undertaken with these two species by a scientist from Cornell university which examined the interference competition relationship between the two species. Interference competition is when species physically interfere with each other to prevent them from getting access to valuable resources when few are available.

The study showed that the ants attacked the nests of the social huntsman spider, with their numbers and ferocious behaviour often causing the spider and her young to retreat. The ants then do not occupy the nest instead, they fill the nest with twigs and leaves; making it unappealing to the spiders which need a empty space in which to grow. To view the original article click here.

What do you think about the home evicting bulldog ants? Feel free to leave your comments below. Personally I think this shows a degree of intelligence within this species; by being able to recognise the nests of social huntsman species and eliminating them from their resource areas, they clearly demonstrate a example of how in nature you have to be able to adapt and out compete rivals in order to survive.