1098/rsbl.2016.0152Īnimals that possess extreme sensory structures are predicted to have a related extreme behavioural function. Nocturnal foraging enhanced by enlarged secondary eyes in a net-casting spider, Biology Letters, …. In studying the results, the researchers found almost identical results. In a second test, the researchers conducted a similar experiment, except they did it in a controlled environment in their lab. Removing the eye covers allowed the spiders to regain their former skill levels.
In studying the results, the researchers found that the blinded spiders were much weaker hunters when their big eyes were covered. The research pair then recorded the activities of the spiders as they tried to survive without benefit of their huge eyes.
Then, they captured some samples and applied dental silicone over the single pair of big eyes (net-casters, like other spiders have eight eyes altogether, the others eyes are much smaller) temporarily blinding those eyes. To prove the theory that the big eyes evolved to help with night foraging, the researchers started by video-taping several of them as they went about their activities in their natural environment. Interestingly, until now, no one has gone to the trouble of actual testing the spiders to fully understand why they have such big eyes-the largest proportionally, for any arachnid. Many visitors to Florida have been alarmed by the sight of a small spider with humongous eyes-the net casting spider, so named because of the unusual shape of the webs it creates-fortunately, the spiders are harmless to humans.
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