New Spider That Makes A Decoy Spider On Its Web. - Polidicks

[quote] [quote] [IMG]http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2012/possiblenews.jpg[/IMG] ============================================================ The decoy spider constructed out of leaves. Credit: Phil Torres [/quote] While traveling with a group of researchers in the Amazon rain forest this past September, biologist Phil Torres came upon a type of spider he'd never seen before. Upon closer inspection, it turned out the spider wasn't a spider at all, but a decoy created by a real spider. He documents the find in a blog post for Rainforest Expeditions. In consulting with experts in the field, Torres has come to believe that the tiny striped spider is a member of the genus Cyclosa, which are known for adding material to their nests to either attract prey or hide from predators. In this case, it appears the spider has developed a special skill to help it avoid being eating by paper wasps. Not only does it build pseudo-replicas of itself, in larger form, it shakes the decoy to convince passersby that the fake spider is the real McCoy, causing the fake to be attacked instead of its own tiny self. The webs of the spiders stand about face high, Torres reports, and are about the size of a stretched-out hand. The spider itself is about a quarter of an inch in length while its decoy is about a full inch. In surveying the area, Torres and colleagues found 25 of the arachnids in a single square mile in a floodplain in Peru on the western edges of the Amazon. Outside of that area, they found none, though Torres notes that it's possible that beyond the range where they looked, there could be many more. [quote] [IMG]http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2012/1-possiblenews.jpg[/IMG] ============================================================ The actual spider (left) and examples of the constructed, false spiders (right). Credit: Jeff Cremer and Phil Torres. [/quote] In examining the decoys, Torres found them to be made up of compiled masses of dead insects, leaf bits and assorted debris. And while each was somewhat different from all the others, the overriding theme was the image of a spider, with legs and a body that resemble the real thing. Torres isn't sure yet if the spider he's found is a new species – a thorough review process will have to be undertaken before that can be established. Once it passes muster, the findings will then have to be published in a science journal for it to become official. ============================================================ Source: [url]http://phys.org/news/2012-12-species-spider-fake-decoys.html[/url] [/quote]

that's fucking awesome i love spiders so much

[QUOTE=Itachi_Crow;38892486]that's fucking awesome i love spiders so much[/QUOTE] You... you love spiders? Do you take some kind of medication?

fuck, they're getting smarter soon they'll kill us all

That's pretty smart for a spider

Wow, I didn't think that animals like spiders were even aware of what they looked like.

The spider must be pretty lonely :v:

[QUOTE=Wiggles;38892524]You... you love spiders? Do you take some kind of medication?[/QUOTE] Spiders and beetles are probably the only insects I'm not afraid of. edit: ants are okay too, and [del]worms[/del][sub](don't hurt me postal)[/sub]

I like the big hairy spiders (tarantulas), yet i am scared shitless of the smaller ones. Maybe its to due to the fact tarantulas cant make webs and look cool.

It even got the leg count right, that's fucking awesome.

[QUOTE=Wiggles;38892524]You... you love spiders? Do you take some kind of medication?[/QUOTE] [img]http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3u7l0rTwu1r6rylfo1_500.jpg[/img] I-I'm sorry wiggles-senpai. I-I'll go back to me web now ;~;

bogleech is gonna flip over this

[QUOTE=Wiggles;38892524]You... you love spiders? Do you take some kind of medication?[/QUOTE] I want a jumping spider as big as a puppy. Would make a neat pet.

If it can make a picture of itself, wouldn't that mean it's self aware? Similar to the mirror test.

Spiders are awesome but i hate them >:C

soon it will copy people

[QUOTE=SgtTupelo;38892794]I want a jumping spider as big as a puppy. Would make a neat pet.[/QUOTE] I nurture those things!

clever girl

Spider waifu.

[QUOTE=squids_eye;38892551]Wow, I didn't think that animals like spiders were even aware of what they looked like.[/QUOTE] I doubt it's like that, probably just an instinctive behaviour like building a web is. I mean they don't need to have a knowledge of mechanics and geometry to be able to build complex structures

[QUOTE=Jericho_Rus;38892541]fuck, they're getting smarter soon they'll kill us all[/QUOTE] No spider in their right mind would consider human as potential prey. [sp]edit, misspelled 'prey' as 'pray' previously rofl[/sp]

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;38893671]No spider in their right mind would consider human as potential pray.[/QUOTE] Unless the spider was about the same size as us. It's a bloody good thing that there is no such spider. Unless terrorists decide to do some cruel genetic engineering beyond our comprehension.

[QUOTE=SgtTupelo;38892794]I want a jumping spider as big as a puppy. Would make a neat pet.[/QUOTE] If it can be tamed like a dog could, hell yeah. Otherwise it's stuff of nightmares.

Maybe the spider is trying to make itself a girlfriend. ( rate agree if u cry evertim ;_; )

[QUOTE=Wiggles;38892524]You... you love spiders? Do you take some kind of medication?[/QUOTE] naw spiders are rad as fuck chill bros

Spiders eat all the real nasty shit that wants to invade your home.

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I dont like that it is self aware, never trust a spider that can do crafts

[QUOTE=Karmah;38892545]That's pretty smart for a spider[/QUOTE] I wonder if it's actual intelligence or just instinct.

[img]http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/2012/1-possiblenews.jpg[/img] The decoy in the top right is all "Come over and say it to my face"