Spiders’ webs aren’t just traps for unsuspecting prey, they’re also extensions of the arachnids’ sensory systems. The intricate structures capture information about the local environment, relaying it back to the spider. This concept, known as extended cognition, suggests that an organism’s mind isn’t confined to its body but extends into the world.
Scientists are exploring this idea, focusing on the Portia labiata, a jumping spider. This species builds rudimentary webs, providing an ideal model to study. Researchers subjected the spiders to different experimental conditions, observing their behaviour and web-building practices. They found that spiders adjusted their actions based on the information they received from their webs.
In one experiment, spiders were placed in enclosures with different humidity levels. The spiders in drier conditions spun denser, more tightly woven webs, suggesting they were using their webs to gather information about their environment. This supports the concept of extended cognition, presenting the possibility that the spider’s web is an integral part of its cognitive process.
This research is revolutionising our understanding of cognition, challenging the traditional view that it’s solely a brain-based process. It suggests that cognition could extend beyond the brain into the world, with implications for how we understand and study animal behaviour.
Go to source article: https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-thoughts-of-a-spiderweb-20170523/