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Vegetarian Spider Discovered in Mexico
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by Barbara McPherson | October 12, 2009 at 04:45 pm
297 views | 40 Recommendations | 7 comments
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The first vegetarian spider ever discovered lives in Mexico. A research team led by Christopher Meehan of the University of Arizona, Tucson has painstakingly uncovered this unusual spider's habits. This unique spider has the scientific name of Bagheera kiplingi.
Quote:
"Between 2001 and 2008, Meehan and colleagues studied the spider in its tropical habitat in southeastern Mexico and northwestern Costa Rica. (Get spider facts.)
They observed that the spiders ate nutrient-rich buds that grow on acacia plants"
End Quote
Acacia plants have a mutually beneficial relationship with a species of very aggressive ants. They make their nests in hollows of the acacia plants and attack any insects or animals seeking to eat the leaves or buds of the plants.
Apparently, this newly discovered vegetarian spider, a variety of jumping spider is nimble and quick enough to elude the defending ants and make off with highly nutritious acacia buds.
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cineloh
Atascadero, California, United States
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nivedita1234
Delhi, India
Hugh Askew
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
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Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
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Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 18:56 on October 12th, 2009
I never heard of this before.
That would be like a vegetarian zombie.
at 19:10 on October 12th, 2009
Interesting!
- reply
Tibia mc 8.52 (not verified)at 19:33 on October 12th, 2009
Haha, quite interesting. Vegetarian spider, like, what the heck is that anyway?
at 23:33 on October 12th, 2009
Is this too explained as a result of Global warming ?
.Agent.
at 03:02 on October 13th, 2009
evolution is slower than that. this is just an example of the lack of knowledge of our own world.
at 02:58 on October 13th, 2009
Wonder if they try to convince other spiders to avoid insect meat?
Cool story, by the way.
at 22:53 on October 21st, 2009
Nice story and inspiratory to be a veggie