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Bird Dropping Spider

on 13th July 2019

Ong Ei Leen’s video clip of the Bird Dropping Spider (Cyrtarachne sp.) was documented in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve way back in March 2016. According to Ei Leen: “The image resembles bird dropping but interestingly on video the movements within the abdomen mimic fresh bird poop – to deter predators and at the same time attracts prey. The image above shows an ant attracted to the spider.

This tiny pulsating spider has a head that looks like a venomous snake, again to deter predators LINK. Joseph Koh, a published spider researcher, identified the spider as Cyrtarachne inaequalis.

According to Nicky Bay the pigment movement has been recorded in most spiders but we have no idea if its function. Joseph Koh agrees.

Obviously more research/observation needs to be done on this tiny rare spider before we have answers to the many questions asked.

More images and a video can be viewed HERE, courtesy of Lena Chow and HERE.

Ong Ei Leen with Nicky Bay, Lena Chow and Joseph Koh
Singapore
24th June 2019

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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