sinequanon writes:
I have seen no evidence that, given a repeated situation, a spider compulsively builds a replica web, with each strand in the corresponding place.
If an orb spider catches more prey in one part of its web (by whatever reason) it will enlarge its web in that direction.
Is this reason? I think not. I would assert that this requires a brain of dramatically increased complexity.
However the famous Portia spider seems to display a great deal of lateral thinking.
Portia labiata: the spider so smart it puts mammals to shame
™ Version 4.2