Spider Cognition

Spiders, having minute brains, were once considered simple, instinct-driven automatons, but research on spider biology is revealing increasing evidence of their cognitive abilities. In this review, we discuss the complex, flexible behaviour of spiders, especially salticids, and highlight how sometimes the cognitive character of spider behaviour closely parallels that of much bigger animals. This includes the use of selective attention (both visual and olfactory) and the use of planned detours. The implications of these findings, and how they relate to bigger issues traditionally associated with big-brain animals, such as 'representation' and 'mind', are discussed. Also discussed are issues relating to animals, including spiders, having a preference, instead of a search image, for a particular type of prey, and issues relating to spiders classifying different types of prey. Some of these issues are illustrated by exploring how spiders communicate and play mind games with their prey, as well as with potential mates. We also discuss how much about cognition can be revealed by exploring the perceptual systems of spiders.