Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, a spider is at work building an elaborate, fake decoy of itself. In its web, it busily goes to working crafting its doppelgänger out of leaves, debris and dead prey insects, including multiple spidery legs, a head and abdomen, Wired reports.

The new spider, thought to be a member of the genus Cyclosa, might build these decoys as part of a defense mechanism to confuse or distract predators. Spiders already make impressive geometric webs, scientists reason, so building other designs isn’t such a leap.

Researchers exploring a floodplain in the forest first learned of the spider when the spotted what they thought was a dead spider caught in a web. It looked flaky, writes Wired, like a fungus-covered arthropod corpse. But the would-be corpse began twitching, and then the researchers noticed a second, smaller spider about an inch above the decoy, shaking her web. The researchers said it “blew their minds.”

Arachnologists soon confirmed that the finding was unique, though more field observations will be needed before the specimen can be confirmed as a new species to science. Other members of Cyclosa are known for building decoys, but those already known to science tend to be clumpy and not nearly as anatomically precise as these examples.

So far, the research team has found around 25 of the clever little spiders. They have no idea if the species is locally restricted or found for miles within the forest. For now, however, the spider mission is on hold. The researchers lack the necessary permits to collect more animals, so until that paperwork comes through in January, arachnologists will be holding their breath.

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz (Post 9451453) Hate spiders Spiders and sharks creep me the **** out, since i like in Kansas i don't have to worry about sharks except on vacation.

Originally Posted by listopencil (Post 9451462) OK, now this is freaking me the **** out. I'm going to stop looking at spider shit on the Smithsonian website for a bit: Spider Builds Fake Spider Decoy http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smar...ider-decoy.jpg Deep in the Peruvian Amazon, a spider is at work building an elaborate, fake decoy of itself. In its web, it busily goes to working crafting its doppelgänger out of leaves, debris and dead prey insects, including multiple spidery legs, a head and abdomen, Wired reports. The new spider, thought to be a member of the genus Cyclosa, might build these decoys as part of a defense mechanism to confuse or distract predators. Spiders already make impressive geometric webs, scientists reason, so building other designs isn’t such a leap. Researchers exploring a floodplain in the forest first learned of the spider when the spotted what they thought was a dead spider caught in a web. It looked flaky, writes Wired, like a fungus-covered arthropod corpse. But the would-be corpse began twitching, and then the researchers noticed a second, smaller spider about an inch above the decoy, shaking her web. The researchers said it “blew their minds.” Arachnologists soon confirmed that the finding was unique, though more field observations will be needed before the specimen can be confirmed as a new species to science. Other members of Cyclosa are known for building decoys, but those already known to science tend to be clumpy and not nearly as anatomically precise as these examples. So far, the research team has found around 25 of the clever little spiders. They have no idea if the species is locally restricted or found for miles within the forest. For now, however, the spider mission is on hold. The researchers lack the necessary permits to collect more animals, so until that paperwork comes through in January, arachnologists will be holding their breath.

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic (Post 9451475) Whyyyy do we need to talk about spiders? Seriously. Spring is just around the corner, which means it'll be spider haven soon. I'm already terrified. My biggest fear in life is seriously spiders. Doesn't even matter how small it is.

Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 9451479) It's just a matter of time before they start building decoy supermodels, and then they'll supplant us as the earth's dominant species.

Originally Posted by tooge (Post 9451193) I like spiders as long as they 1. don't bite me 2. eat all the other little fugtard insects in and around the house 3. I don't see them

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz (Post 9451486) the way the look the way the move the shooting thread out their ass the creepy ass pinchers in the front that bite the way their web gets all stuck on you if you move through it *shiver* nasty ass shit

Originally Posted by listopencil (Post 9451191) Here's a pic of the "Clock Spider" linked to the text "terrifyingly large" in the original article: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...lockspider.jpg