It's not just the dazzling colours and slick moves of Australia's dancing spiders that make them special. There are more than 100 different species of the peacock spider, whereas most animals have only five or ten. Researchers believe that's partly down to the spider's 'dark DNA' - a mysterious part of the animal's genetic code, and they are studying it to find out more.
They think that this dark DNA might enable it to adapt rapidly to changing environmental circumstances by developing into new species. What the scientists find out, they say, might help to explain why there is so much variation in the natural world.
We are interested in how the spiders evolve to become that diverse, Jonah Walker, of the Sanger Institute told BBC News. When you go outside you see so much variation in species of plants and animals. Peacock spiders are at the extreme end of that.
Peacock spiders are found across Australia, with males flaunting brilliant colors during their elaborate courtship rituals. Their remarkable appearance and behaviors vary significantly across species. Walker, now devoted to the study of these spiders, overcame his initial fears after witnessing their captivating performances.
In collaboration with an international team, Walker meticulously documented each species' behavior, movements, and songs, aligning this with genetic sequencing. The project targets the genetic underpinnings of their diverse traits, examining how both genes and the enigmatic dark DNA drive evolution.
The research, part of the larger Earth BioGenome Project, seeks to decode the genetic materials of all living organisms over the next decade. Insights from this work promise to deepen understanding of biodiversity and the intricate networks connecting all forms of life.
