Can Spiders Have Down Syndrome?
WouterApparently, spiders have a lot of cool things going for them. They’re among the most prolific of creatures, churning out 400 eggs a day. As such, they’re a goldmine for genetic studies. In particular, researchers have been able to track the development of embryos without killing them. The most notable of these experiments was a small test group tasked with identifying the genes responsible for a spider’s remarkable ability to leap from one web to the next. Interestingly, the best specimens were surprisingly resistant to aphids, a common parasite in the field. The researchers dubbed their findings the aphid-free proof of concept. A subsequent study of the same samples showed that spiders were less susceptible to other microbes, such as cockroaches and flies. So far, no other animals have displayed such a resilience. The research, which lasted just under six months, has led to many awe-inspiring discoveries. In the process, scientists have discovered the origins of several of the species.
