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Vegan Spider
10/14/09 09:20 AM
Herbivorous arachnid joins vegan ranks . . .
Of the some 40,000 species of spiders on planet Earth, none were presumed to be anything but fluid-sucking carnivores who prey on insects and, in some instances, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. But in Central America, biologists have discovered a jumping spider that primarily eats plant products.
These vegan spiders prefer the nectar from acacia shrubs. The problem is that these shrubs have a symbiotic relationship with a species of ants that also prefer their nectar and, in exchange for this largesse, protect the acacia shrubs from other creatures who would like some of that sweet stuff for themselves, thank you. However, these jumping spiders have figured out how to evade the guard ants. After all, jumping spides are extremely agile and quick, so they generally just out manuever the ants.
Scientists are discovering new species of spiders frequently, so there remains the possibility that there are other vegetarian arachnids out there. So far, however, this little bugger is in a class all its own.
Who made the salad?
These vegan spiders prefer the nectar from acacia shrubs. The problem is that these shrubs have a symbiotic relationship with a species of ants that also prefer their nectar and, in exchange for this largesse, protect the acacia shrubs from other creatures who would like some of that sweet stuff for themselves, thank you. However, these jumping spiders have figured out how to evade the guard ants. After all, jumping spides are extremely agile and quick, so they generally just out manuever the ants.
Scientists are discovering new species of spiders frequently, so there remains the possibility that there are other vegetarian arachnids out there. So far, however, this little bugger is in a class all its own.
Who made the salad?