Researchers find fish-eating spiders around the world

A number of spiders who catch and eat fish have been discovered across the world by scientists.

A study has found that while they typically prey on insects, some larger species of spiders will supplement their diet with small fish that are sometimes twice their size.

Martin Nyffeler from the University of Basel, Switzerland and Bradley Pusey from the University of Western Australia gathered and documented numerous incidents of spiders predating fish from all around the world.

Nyffeler said that the finding of such a large diversity of spiders that engage in fish predation is novel and their evidence suggested that fish might be an occasional prey item of substantial nutritional importance.

According to study, naturally occurring fish predation by spiders has been reported from all continents with the exception of Antarctica.

According to study, in order to catch its prey the spider will typically anchor its hind legs to a stone or a plant, with its front legs resting on the surface of the water, ready to ambush. The fish will then be dragged to a dry place before the feeding process can begin which usually lasts several hours.

Agencies/Canadajournal