[Please Note: I would like to state that I have not experienced / seen any of the facts mentioned here. I am curious about the various unusual phenomenon occurring in nature. (As they say: Once a researcher, always a researcher) I have only researched and compiled these facts together. The images presented in this blog are not photographed by me. Thank you.]
Somethings seems to be wrong with the title, right? Shouldn’t it be Mirror, mirror on the wall? No, here it is correct, as we are talking about the Mirror Spider.
It is also known as sequined spider or the twin peaked Thwaitesia. The scientific name of this arachnid is Thwaitesia argentiopunctata. It is mainly found in Australia. The body length of a male is around 3 mm and for females, it is 4 mm.
These creatures have reflective plates on their abdomen which appear like pieces of mirrors. These shimmery scales are composed of reflective guanine — crystalline deposits which mainly contain guanine, a waste product of the gut cells guanocytes.
With these reflective plates this spider looks like an artwork of stained glass.
It would be natural to assume that these shiny mirrors would act as beacon and attract the predators, thereby landing the spider in danger. However, the scientists studying this species feel that the reflecting places on its abdomen probably reflect and scatter the light, thus confusing the predators.
There is another theory that some species of mirror spiders (when threatened) can contract fine muscles and the guanocytes are pulled into a tight mass. Because of this the sequined plates shrink in size and other pigmented cells become more visible (Above photograph). Thus it appears as if the spider has changed its colour. It is no more shiny and not easily visible.
Singapore based photographer Nicky Bay has extensively photographed and studied this spider species. He has published a series of photographs explaining how the shiny plates slowly expand when the spider is at rest, how the space in between the plates fills up and then how the plates completely fill the abdominal area.
He (Photographer Nicky Bay) has created an animation showing the expansion and contraction of the mirror plates:
All the photographs here are by: Nicky Bay.
July 31, 2017 at 1:40 pm
What a beautiful and remarkable creature!
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July 31, 2017 at 3:07 pm
It surely is a remarkable creature! Thank you for visiting this space and for your good words 🙂
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July 31, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Amazing insects! Never heard of them!!
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July 31, 2017 at 3:05 pm
They are one of the many different fascinating creatures. Thanks for reading the post and for your comment 🙂
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August 1, 2017 at 1:47 am
Really it is pleasure reading your posts! Thanks
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August 1, 2017 at 7:39 am
🙂
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August 1, 2017 at 1:49 am
Really it is my pleasure reading your posts ! Thanks !!
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August 1, 2017 at 7:39 am
🙂
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July 31, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Unique informations , as always dear. Amazing !!!!
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July 31, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Nature has many such unique treasures… Many thanks for stopping by and for your appreciation 🙂
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August 1, 2017 at 1:57 am
Thanks again , for sharing informations of such wonderful treasure dear. 😊😊 loved your post .
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August 1, 2017 at 7:40 am
🙂 🙂
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August 1, 2017 at 7:43 am
👍
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July 31, 2017 at 4:50 pm
How utterly amazing. And I don’t like spiders OR snakes! Great post!
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July 31, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Many people do not like spiders and yet find some species quite beautiful. Thank you for visiting this space and for your kind words 🙂
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August 2, 2017 at 1:58 am
Never heard about this species and it was really amazing to know…thanks a lot for sharing.
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August 2, 2017 at 7:53 am
It’s my pleasure. Thank you for reading the post and for your nice comment 🙂
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August 4, 2017 at 8:58 pm
That spider is beautiful! I had never heard about it before, thanks for sharing it with us.
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August 5, 2017 at 6:47 am
Happy to share. Yes, sometimes even a spider can be beautiful, isn’t it? 🙂 Welcome to this space and thank you so much 🙂
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August 5, 2017 at 7:46 am
Marvellous piece of work!!!hats off to you..May I know the camera used in this case..
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August 5, 2017 at 5:28 pm
As I have mentioned, the photographs in this post are by Singapore based photographer Nicky Bay, I am only a compiler of the information 🙂 Thank you for stopping by 🙂
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August 8, 2017 at 11:36 am
Amazing, I detest spiders but this one looks like a real brooch
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August 8, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Many people are averse to spiders, as they look quite creepy. But as you mentioned, some species, like this one, have ornamental appearance. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here 🙂
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August 8, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I still find them creepy😄It’s interesting to see how ideas in our mind can change something quite beautiful into a creepy thing😁
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August 8, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Amazing! Nature can be very creative when she wants to!
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August 8, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Yes, nature’s creativity has no boundaries. Many thanks for your wonderful comment 🙂
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August 9, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Amazing post about the insects!! Very unique and interesting! Pictures look fantastic & Thanks for sharing😊
I am pleased to inform you that I have nominated you for the Unique blogger award https://divinespice.com/2017/08/09/the-unique-blogger-award/
Many thanks!
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August 10, 2017 at 1:22 pm
I’m happy that you liked the post; sharing the details is my pleasure! 🙂
Thank you so very much for the award nomination; I truly feel honoured by the love bestowed on my blog 🙂 Thanks once again.
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August 11, 2017 at 10:58 pm
What a beautiful post Savita, thanks for sharing!!!
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August 12, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Glad to share. Thank you so much for the appreciation 🙂
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August 13, 2017 at 3:30 am
And we quarrel and fight and wage war and trample others to create empires when God/Nature brings us such wonders.
I had no clue this existed. Thanks for sharing.
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August 14, 2017 at 7:08 am
What you say is so true! I feel we humans need to change our perspective.
Happy to share the information; many thanks for stopping by and sharing your beautiful thoughts 🙂
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September 4, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Thank you for the post, Savita! I have never heard of this spider.
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September 5, 2017 at 2:15 pm
It’s my pleasure to share. Yes, there are many such rare creatures in the universe. Thank you for reading the post and many thanks for your nice words 🙂
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September 6, 2017 at 11:43 am
Incredible and beautiful spider.
Congratulations for your pictures!
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September 6, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Yes, the creature is amazing and beautiful. But as I have mentioned in the blog/post, I have only researched and compiled the information and the pictures. All the photographs in this particular post are by Nicky Bay.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your nice words 🙂
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March 15, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Reblogged this on adaratrosclair.
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March 16, 2019 at 7:35 am
Thank you so much!
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March 19, 2019 at 1:19 am
You’re most welcome! 🙂
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