[SPIDERS!] Tiny Spider That Builds It's Own Spider Decoys Discovered

[Shyria Dracnoir]

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A spider that builds elaborate, fake spiders and hangs them in its web has been discovered in the Peruvian Amazon.

Believed to be a new species in the genus Cyclosa, the arachnid crafts the larger spider from leaves, debris and dead insects. Though Cyclosa includes other sculpting arachnids, this is the first one observed to build a replica with multiple, spidery legs.

Scientists suspect the fake spiders serve as decoys, part of a defense mechanism meant to confuse or distract predators. “It seems like a really well evolved and very specialized behavior,” said Phil Torres, who described the find in a blog entry written for Rainforest Expeditions. Torres, a biologist and science educator, divides his time between Southern California and Peru, where he’s involved in research and education projects.

In September, Torres was leading visitors into a floodplain surrounding Peru’s Tambopata Research Center, located near the western edge of the Amazon. From a distance, they saw what resembled a smallish, dead spider in a web. It looked kind of flaky, like the fungus-covered corpse of an arthropod.

But then the flaky spider started moving.

A closer looked revealed the illusion. Above the 1-inch-long decoy sat a much smaller spider. Striped, and less than a quarter-inch long, the spider was shaking the web. It was unlike anything Torres had ever seen. “It blew my mind,” he said.

But without a permit to collect any organisms, anatomical confirmation of the new species is on hold. Torres is returning to the site in January, and will be able to collect some spiders then. Eberhard notes that identifying a new species based on the decoy-building behavior alone is probably not possible. “Species are distinguished on the basis of the structure of the male and female genitalia,” he said. “To a lesser extent, on the overall abdomen shape.”

Naturally, be careful clicking through to the article if you're arachnophobic.

You learn something new about the world every day.

[Magus]

These spiders are getting way too smart for their own good. Something must be done.

[Amake]

Originally Posted by Magus

These spiders are getting way too smart for their own our good. Something must be done.

Probably the world was doomed as soon as they tested LSD on spiders. . .

[Aerozord]

Originally Posted by Amake

Probably the world was doomed as soon as they tested LSD on spiders. . .

Yes but we learned so much

[Aerozord]

so not only does it build fake spiders, but is smart enough to know to make it move and appear alive when threats get close

[Bells]

So we have found the Agent 47 of the spider kingdom? lovely.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

And the Amazon Jungle earns a spot on my "Places to stay the fuck away from" list.

[Aerozord]

I for one welcome our new spider overlords