Hurricanes lead to more aggressive spiders, study says

[rpannier]

https://qconline.com/news/science/hurricanes-lead-to-more-aggressive-spiders-study-says/article_2f78a321-d882-52a0-9a08-06c6fe064918.html

In regions of the United States and Mexico that are prone to hurricanes, aggressive spiders are evolving to survive and ride out the storm.

When hurricanes rage along the Gulf of Mexico or charge up the East Coast, they can reshape an entire habitat in a short time. The winds destroy trees and spread debris for miles, putting new pressure on the creatures living in these environments.

snip

The team monitored Subtropical Storm Alberto and Hurricanes Florence and Michael during the 2018 hurricane season. They tried to anticipate the systems' trajectories and study areas that included 240 female spider colonies, comparing them with areas where spider colonies were not affected by such storms.

The researchers returned to the sites hit by the storms 48 hours later. About 75% of the colonies survived the initial storm strikes.

snip

The researchers determined that after a storm passed, the colonies that aggressively pursued food and resources were able to produce more egg cases. The spiderlings also had a better chance of surviving into early winter.

In areas that weren't hit by storms, docile colonies thrived.

[Hortensis]

1. More aggressive spiders. Really? On top of everything?

Why do I suspect they'll be found to breed more aggressive humans also?

[rpannier]

2. Competition for resources is part of the why

I wouldn't be surprised if it happens in more than just spiders

[Hortensis]

3. In humans it's more likely to be competition for plus sizes.

[rpannier]

4. You forgot the rim shot

[Hortensis]

5. :)

My dream would be a mike drop someday. Like my hero.

Itm, beware of spiders!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. More aggressive spiders?

Oh, my.

Recently I've had people post on FB that they carefully capture spiders in their home and set them free outside. I don't do that. I kill them, mercilessly. Most of the spiders I happen to see are black widows, and I'm sorry, but they deserve to die. I don't think my murdering of them will lead to their extinction, but I don't want them in my residence.

Lucky me, I live in New Mexico. Northern New Mexico. Hurricanes don't make it here.

[lark]

7. Great, like FL didn't already have enough aggressive spiders!

Damn!! I hope brown recluses weren't included as they mostly nest in dark hidden places and those suckers bites can really hurt you.

[malaise]

8. Very interesting

I wonder if there is any Caribbean island research on this subject.