Csakany placed skin from humming frogs onto the body of a frog that does not seem to have any special relationship with tarantulas and is ordinarily eaten by them (the Lowland tropical bullfrog Leptodactylus andreae, a leptodactylid. Csakany used one of its synonyms: Adenomera andreai [sic]). After grabbing the skin-wearing Leptodactylus specimens, the spiders examined them, and released them unharmed. Again, this supports the hypothesis that the tarantulas recognise ‘partner’ frogs after receiving certain chemical signals.
Imagine being that poor bull frog. “Hey buddy, put on this tiny frog-shaped skin suit. We’re gonna drop you in a pit with tarantulas and see if they eat you. We think they won’t, on account of the skin suit you see, but, you know, science”
“Yes, we’ll drop you into a pit with a gigantic predator on whose menu you usually take the top spot, BUT it might just be fine, since we’ll wrap you in the remains of another frog we flayed so that you can wear its skin.”
Imagine being that poor bull frog. “Hey buddy, put on this tiny frog-shaped skin suit. We’re gonna drop you in a pit with tarantulas and see if they eat you. We think they won’t, on account of the skin suit you see, but, you know, science”
“Yes, we’ll drop you into a pit with a gigantic predator on whose menu you usually take the top spot, BUT it might just be fine, since we’ll wrap you in the remains of another frog we flayed so that you can wear its skin.”