Researchers developed a novel method to detect environmental DNA in groundwater, extending the known range of the olm by discovering 12 new sites. This breakthrough allows for better conservation management and protection of this globally threatened species.
Researchers from Slovenia and South Africa discovered heterospecific mating in African golden orbweb spiders, where males mate with females of different species. The study suggests that such interactions could play a role in determining community structure and may be costly to rarest species.
Researchers found that male Darwin's bark spiders salivate onto female genitalia as an obligatory behavior before and after copulation. This unusual practice is thought to boost the male's chances of paternity by signaling quality or favoring one sperm over rivals.