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Author
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Topic: Spiders are intelligent
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Re: Spider can learn to build a web in weightless environment
I recall an article about a spider that was taken into space to see how it coped with weightlessness. It's initial attempts at building a web were poor, but within 3 days it built a normal web although the silk was woven finer. (Although the article did not mention the reason, it could be because a lighter duty web is sufficient in a weightless environment). Actually that is not quite how it was. The initial webs were very much like the controls while later webs changed; likely because they did not have gravity as a clue and due to starvation. There was nothing in the experiment that showed any learning ability.
Source
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| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 46 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 9:47 AM | | sinequanon has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 50 of 147 (446430)
01-06-2008 10:21 AM
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Reply to: Message 49 by sinequanon
01-06-2008 10:16 AM
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Re: Spider can learn to build a web in weightless environment
So, it appears that the spiders adapted immediately. Actually no it does not appear they adapted immediately, rather they simply continued doing what they had always done. However as they adapted they could not compensate for the lack of gravity as a clue and the webs became thiner and less regular.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 49 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 10:16 AM | | sinequanon has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 52 of 147 (446439)
01-06-2008 10:48 AM
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Reply to: Message 51 by sinequanon
01-06-2008 10:28 AM
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Re: Spider can learn to build a web in weightless environment
The question in my mind is, "were the adaptations beneficial?". Comments on the functionality of the web would be necessary to assess that. You can read the full article here
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 51 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 10:28 AM | | sinequanon has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Maybe towards a distinction
One characteristic that might be useful is the role of intelligence in doing things a different way. Many animals such as the primates, whales and octopus have show the ability to solve problems in unique ways. Whether we are talking about bonobos using rocks to open nuts, octopus learning to open jars to get food, chimps modifying and using sticks to 'fish' for termites and ants or humans building refrigeration and heating systems, we see new, uniques solutions being displayed. My question would be "What new and unique solutions to new problems have spiders developed?" Are there similar examples of 'problem solving' among individual spiders? Edited by jar, : No reason given.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 59 by molbiogirl, posted 01-06-2008 5:09 PM | | molbiogirl has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Re: Maybe towards a distinction
The question stands. Are there any examples of an individual spider coming up with new and uniques solutions to a new problem?
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 61 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 5:43 PM | | sinequanon has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Re: Maybe towards a distinction
The topic is "Spiders are intelligent". What examples are available showing individual spiders coming up with a new solution for a new problem? Unique would be something different than other spiders of the same local population.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 63 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 5:55 PM | | sinequanon has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Good, we have one example BUT it ain't a spider.
Now, are there similar examples of spiders finding new solutions to new problems?
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 67 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 6:04 PM | | sinequanon has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Need linkk to the study.
I would love to see that study, and see if it is actually an objective as opposed to simply opportunity. When you find the link to the study let us know.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 71 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 6:12 PM | | sinequanon has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Message 81 of 147 (446625)
01-06-2008 6:34 PM
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Reply to: Message 78 by anglagard
01-06-2008 6:29 PM
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Smoke and mirrors.
I am not convinced that decreasing the exposed capture area of a web by at least 50% is actually that good an example of innovation anyway.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 78 by anglagard, posted 01-06-2008 6:29 PM | | anglagard has not replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Windows and mirrors.
But when you build a web against a solid object you immediately reduce the exposure by more than 50% (only one side exposed and one direction of approach totally cut off), plus you have not show how a mirror would compare to a window other than both being solid objects.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 87 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 7:12 PM | | sinequanon has replied |
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jar
Member (Idle past 421 days) Posts: 34026 From: Texas!! Joined: 04-20-2004
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Re: Windows and mirrors.
Fine, get us a study. Show us that the spider intended that result.
Immigration has been a problem Since 1607!
| This message is a reply to: | | | Message 91 by sinequanon, posted 01-06-2008 7:46 PM | | sinequanon has replied |
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