There is a report (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article6869475.ece) of the discovery of a South American species of spider (Bagheera kiplingi) that atypically (spiders were thought to be only capable of feeding on predigested animal material) lives entirely on vegetable matter. The spider actually eats the lipid- and protein-rich Beltian bodies of the Acacia bush that attract the symbiotic ants that try to protect the plant. The Beltian bodies are essentially 'baby food' for ant larvae. The spider also eats an occassional ant larva, so it is clearly not a vegan! The spider uses its web-building ability only to create structures in which to rear its young. The finding is another illustration of the adaptability of animal species. Many are able to make major transformations of lifestyle when the benefits outweigh the costs. This is something reiterated in the new BBC 'Life' programmes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lbpcy).
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Veggie Spider?
There is a report (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article6869475.ece) of the discovery of a South American species of spider (Bagheera kiplingi) that atypically (spiders were thought to be only capable of feeding on predigested animal material) lives entirely on vegetable matter. The spider actually eats the lipid- and protein-rich Beltian bodies of the Acacia bush that attract the symbiotic ants that try to protect the plant. The Beltian bodies are essentially 'baby food' for ant larvae. The spider also eats an occassional ant larva, so it is clearly not a vegan! The spider uses its web-building ability only to create structures in which to rear its young. The finding is another illustration of the adaptability of animal species. Many are able to make major transformations of lifestyle when the benefits outweigh the costs. This is something reiterated in the new BBC 'Life' programmes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lbpcy).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Fusion: Confusion?
Nuclear fusion involves light elements, like hydrogen, being combined under pressure, with a massive release of energy. It's basically...
-
It's necessary, where possible, to replace diesel and petrol-fueled vehicles by electrical equivalents. Electric vehicles (EVs) don... -
Zonal pricing is a proposed change to the UK energy market. It would result in energy consumers paying less for electricity, if they are ba... -
Seagrasses are the only flowering plants growing in marine environments. Seagrass meadows (large accumulations of these plants) provide vit...
No comments:
Post a Comment