Can Spiders Survive Extreme Heat?
WouterThere are many different spider species in the world. Each one has adapted to live in a unique way. Some are aquatically oriented, while others burrow underground or build nests.
Some species can tolerate temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius. These cold-adapted spiders are known as temperate zone spiders. These creatures produce a liquid catalyst within their bodies to keep them warm. They also have cryoprotectants, which prevent the formation of ice crystals.
In addition, spiders can endure temperatures up to 110 or 120 degrees Fahrenheit without dying. However, most can survive only for a short period of time. Those that can endure extreme heat may breed quicker and reproduce faster.
In order to determine which species can survive the most heat, Berkeley researchers performed a study on six jumping spider species. These species are common in the deserts of Arizona.
The research team first performed an acclimation experiment on the spiders. Each group was fed crickets and houseflies twice a week. They then spent three weeks acclimated to either 19 or 29 degrees Celsius. Then they were placed in a behavioural assay to determine their behavioural response to increasing temperatures.
The researchers used a linear mixed model to analyze the behavioural escape response to a temperature increase. They discovered that the temperature increase significantly increased the escape temperature threshold. The behavioural reaction to a high temperature was measured by watching when the spiders moved out of the vial to avoid the stress of the temperature change.
