Behavioral evidence for two-stage sleep in spiders

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  Behavioral evidence for two-stage sleep in spiders Abstract Sleep is a fundamental behavioral state found across the animal kingdom, yet most of what we know about sleep is heavily vertebrate-biased. Studies are scarce or nonexistent in all but a few invertebrate lineages. A recent study of an REM sleep-like behavior in a jumping spider has reported unexpected parallels to sleep expression in vertebrates. So far, experimental evidence that these behavioral indicators truly represent sleep was lacking in spiders. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into sleep behavior in the spider Portia fimbriata (Salticidae). We demonstrate diurnal activity, a free-running circadian rhythm, robust sleep architecture, regularly occurring REM-like behaviors, elevated arousal thresholds during those REM-like states, as well as rebound effects following sleep disruption. We conclude that the behavior we observe in spiders is behavioral sleep, providing evidence for an REM-like sleep sub...

Editorial: Horizons in arachnid science

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Editorial: Horizons in arachnid science

Editorial on the Research Topic Horizons in arachnid science

Frontiers in Arachnid Science, a community-rooted journal, aims to engage researchers across a full spectrum of disciplines, including early-career scientists and established researchers. We are pleased to introduce the inaugural “Horizons in Arachnid Science” collection, featuring invited, high-impact, and accessible reviews synthesizing transformational arachnology research. Contributors were selected by the Chief Editors in recognition of their scientific contributions and impact.

Among arachnids, spiders (order Araneae) represent the second most diverse order, with 53,967 currently described species (). Despite this remarkable diversity, the natural history, ecology, and evolutionary relationships of many spider lineages remain poorly understood. Two reviews in this Research Topic address these gaps from complementary perspectives by focusing on both a widespread ecological strategy and a charismatic focal lineage.

Herzig, V., Schausberger, P., Bond, J. E., Cabezas-Cruz, A., & Kuntner, M. (2026). Editorial: Horizons in arachnid science. Frontiers in Arachnid Science, 5, 1890569. https://doi.org/10.3389/frchs.2026.1890569