Did Spiders' Ancestors Come From The Ocean?
Whether you love spiders or can't be within 10 feet of them, you probably think of them crawling around on land. Historically, most researchers would probably say the same thing: Based on the fossil record, they've thought the earliest arachnid ancestors existed around 450 million years ago, living and diversifying exclusively on land. But a new study out this week in the journal Current Biology suggests arachnid brains may have originated much earlier in the ocean.
Want to hear more stories about the history of animals on Earth? Email us and let us know at [email protected].
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Want to hear more stories about the history of animals on Earth? Email us and let us know at [email protected].
Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You May Also Like

Real Ghost Stories Online
Real Ghost Stories Online | Paranormal, Supernatural & Horror Radio

The 365 Days of Astronomy
365DaysOfAstronomy.org

TheThinkingAtheist
The Thinking Atheist

The Best of Coast to Coast AM
iHeartPodcasts and Coast to Coast AM

Bedtime Astronomy
Synthetic Universe

Native Plants, Healthy Planet
Pinelands Nursery, Bleav

Eye On The Sky
Vermont Public

Radiowissen
Bayerischer Rundfunk

New Books in Communications
Marshall Poe

Environmental Professionals Radio (EPR)
Nic Frederick and Laura Thorne
Community discussion