Spider powers put scientists in a spin

OXFORD: Spiders can control the tension and stiffness of their webs to optimise their sensory powers, helping them locate and identify prey as well as partners, according to researchers at Oxford University.

Much in same way that notes travel along a plucked guitar string, spider silk transmits vibrations in different frequencies, sending information back to the spider.

“Spiders use vibrations not only from prey which is caught in their web, where obviously it’s important that they know where it is and what it might be,” said excited researcher Beth Mortimer.

“But vibrations are also important in courtship. A lot of males will actually generate a very specific kind of musical pattern which the females can use to determine not only that they’re a male but they’re the right species and whether she might want to mate with them.” – Reuters