It’s not just the dazzling colours and slick moves of Australia’s dancing spiders that make them special. There are more than 100 different species of the peacock spider, whereas most animals have only five or ten. Researchers believe that’s partly due to the spider’s 'dark DNA' - a mysterious part of the animal’s genetic code that might enable it to adapt rapidly to changing environmental circumstances by developing into new species.
What the scientists find out might help to explain the variation in the natural world. 'We are interested in how the spiders evolve to become that diverse,' Jonah Walker from the Sanger Institute said. 'Peacock spiders are at the extreme end of that variations spectrum. By studying them, we can understand what processes produce variation in general.'
These tiny creatures create drumming sounds and perform rhythmic dances while displaying their stunning patterned features, making them fascinating subjects for research.
Walker shared that studying these spiders, despite initially fearing them, became a captivating experience that transcended his phobia through the allure of scientific discovery. Working alongside an international team, the researchers meticulously categorized details about each species' behavior, movements, and songs, cross-referencing all this information with their DNA.
The exploration isn’t just limited to spiders; researchers aim to decode the genetic code of every plant, animal, and fungus on Earth as part of the ambitious Earth BioGenome Project. By analyzing the genetic makeup of various organisms, scientists hope to uncover the general principles governing gene function and the role of dark DNA, providing unprecedented insights into evolution and interrelationships among species.
What the scientists find out might help to explain the variation in the natural world. 'We are interested in how the spiders evolve to become that diverse,' Jonah Walker from the Sanger Institute said. 'Peacock spiders are at the extreme end of that variations spectrum. By studying them, we can understand what processes produce variation in general.'
These tiny creatures create drumming sounds and perform rhythmic dances while displaying their stunning patterned features, making them fascinating subjects for research.
Walker shared that studying these spiders, despite initially fearing them, became a captivating experience that transcended his phobia through the allure of scientific discovery. Working alongside an international team, the researchers meticulously categorized details about each species' behavior, movements, and songs, cross-referencing all this information with their DNA.
The exploration isn’t just limited to spiders; researchers aim to decode the genetic code of every plant, animal, and fungus on Earth as part of the ambitious Earth BioGenome Project. By analyzing the genetic makeup of various organisms, scientists hope to uncover the general principles governing gene function and the role of dark DNA, providing unprecedented insights into evolution and interrelationships among species.
