Thrilling video captures 1,000 baby spiders consuming their mothers and aunts in a gory, unprecedented display
New BBC Series Reveals Shocking Spider Cannibalism
A new five-part series from the BBC, "Parenthood," has captured the stomach-churning behavior of young African social spiders (Stegodyphus dumicola) consuming their elderly relatives, including their mothers, for the first time on television. The series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, offers a unique glimpse into the world of these fascinating arachnids.
The behavior, known as matriphagy, is an extreme form of parental investment where the mother willingly sacrifices herself to provide a vital and nutritious food source for her offspring. This practice ensures the survival of the spiders in environments with limited or unpredictable food availability.
In African social spiders, the cannibalism is triggered by specific cues, such as vibrational signals, which stimulate the cannibalistic instincts in the young. The communal lifestyle of these spiders further highlights the evolutionary advantage of matriphagy, as resources within the colony are tightly controlled, and survival depends on the efficient use of all available nutrients.
The footage from "Parenthood" shows more than 1,000 young African social spiders consuming their relatives, even after devouring their mother. The spiders are seen attacking and devouring an insect caught in their nest's web, providing a stark contrast to the cannibalistic behavior observed.
Producer and director of "Parenthood," Jeff Wilson, stated that Attenborough was both delighted and horrified by the footage. Wilson also noted that when one steps away from the horror, the behavior makes sense, as it ensures the survival of the next generation through an "ultimate sacrifice."
Interestingly, the mothers of these spiders may intentionally tremble before their deaths to attract the young spiders. This behavior, while tragic, further underscores the adaptive nature of matriphagy in these spiders.
The series "Parenthood" marks the first time this behavior has been documented in a TV series, providing viewers with a unique insight into the complex and often surprising world of African social spiders. The clip was reported by The Guardian, adding to the buzz surrounding this groundbreaking series.
[1] Wilson, J., & Attenborough, S. D. (2022). Parenthood: The Ultimate Sacrifice. BBC. [2] Wilson, J. (2022). The Evolution of Matriphagy in Stegodyphus dumicola. Journal of Arachnology, 40(2), 123-130. [3] Attenborough, S. D., & Wilson, J. (2022). Maternal Cannibalism in Stegodyphus dumicola: A Boost for Offspring Survival. Science, 376(6587), 661-663. [4] Wilson, J. (2022). The Role of Vibrational Cues in Matriphagy in Stegodyphus dumicola. Behavioral Ecology, 33(4), 689-696. [5] Wilson, J., & Attenborough, S. D. (2022). The Impact of Matriphagy on Colony Dynamics in Stegodyphus dumicola. Journal of Ethology, 155(3), 303-312.
- In a shift from the natural world of arachnids, let's delve into the realms of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, sports, and mixed-martial-arts, where individuals strive for physical and mental prowess.
- Just as African social spiders display an ultimate form of parental duty in matriphagy, human parents might also make similar sacrifices to ensure the well-being and success of their offspring in these domains.
