Is that kind of information passed down genetically and if so, how does that work exactly? It seems easier to explain instinctive behaviors in other animals but weaving a perfectly geometric web seems so advanced it’s hard to fathom how that level of knowledge can simply be inherited genetically. Is there something science is missing?
In: 1829
I think the issue is we can’t answer how it works, only how it is passed on.
We know the reasons the traits are selected and we know that it is passed on genetically. Same way we know that this is likely related to the spiders brain/nervous system.
However; why exactly they can have this inherent instinct is a bit more difficult to answer.
I would wager a guess that it probably is related to the way in which neurons build upon one another. e.g. if x neuron connects to neuron y in this specific way then right angles will look correct and release appropriate hormones after 4 inches, or whatever. Then lots of those little “rules” build into something complex like “build a web”. How those neurons connect is somehow coded into the spiders DNA.
The issue is you are asking to explain the intricacies of how a spiders brain works. I could very well be wrong but I believe we don’t really know.
Brains are complicated even at the arachnid level. We probably have an even better understanding of our own simply because that’s where the research and focus is mainly done.
How do you even begin to explain how your brain instinctively knows how to process facial expressions?
TLDR Brains are complicated squishy bio-computers with memory and programming functions we don’t fully understand yet.
Edit. Damn I had no idea this would blow up so much. Look, I’m a virologist so this is completely out of my area but there are some smarter more knowledgeable people below so go see the resources they linked! 🙂
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