Do spiders perform system identification?
Yes, spiders derive a great deal of information from the web’s vibrations. They can tell where a prey organism is located in the web, distinguish prey movements from inanimate objects and detect the presence of a male of their own species. Also the tension of various parts of the web is important to its prey catching function and is kept properly adjusted. There is a spider called a daddylonglegs spider by some people, but this is a confusing term because a real daddylonglegs is not a spider and doesn’t build a web. The daddylonglegs spider is a pholcid, usually, in the United States or Europe, Pholcus phalangioides. It is often found in basements or storerooms.
