How to Get Spiders in Antarctica
WouterIf you’re wondering how to get spiders in Antarctica, the answer is not simple. The country has no indigenous humans, so the only species that can live there are the Antarctic midges. These creatures are cold hardened to keep their bodily fluids from freezing.
Some species of sea spiders have existed since the Jurassic period. They are the pycnogonids, a class of arthropods, which are distantly related to land spiders. They’re found in polar and tropical waters. They don’t bite, but rather, they swim around looking for food.
These creatures can live in very cold water, which is why researchers have started to study them. Scientists are now trying to understand why these marine animals grow to enormous size. This is called polar gigantism.
Giant sea spiders are one example of polar gigantism. They were discovered in Antarctic waters by marine biologists. Their unusual size is thought to be a result of slowing metabolism. It may be important for their survival.
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain polar gigantism. The oxygen-temperature hypothesis states that cold-blooded creatures can grow to enormous sizes because their metabolisms are slower. Another hypothesis is that the arachnids have evolved to be larger than their counterparts in warmer climates.
However, more research is needed to determine the true cause of polar gigantism. Some scientists believe that climate change is causing a decrease in temperature that affects the ability of the animals to survive.
Whether or not this hypothesis is correct, there is a large number of undiscovered species that live in remote regions. The number could be as many as 100 million.
