Spider cone: a novel behavior of cobweb-like excretions of Conus geographus

Abstract

Conus geographus is a specialized nocturnal cone snail that has evolved to engulf several target fish at once. A newly discovered behavior was observed wherein it releases cobweb-like excretions. This study focuses on characterizing this behavior from visual media as well as identifying the factors triggering the releases of cobweb-like excretions. Data from observations were then analyzed together with previously published C. geographus data and data from arachnids to determine similarities and their relationship between adaptation and evolution. Comparisons revealed that the first factor for releasing the cobweb-like excretions would be mobilization, which is the descending ability of C. geographus using the projections that may be similar to the abseiling spiders of Theridiidae and Araneidae. Next factor is the defense mechanism wherein the cone snail’s siphon was compared to spiders with trichobothria, which are used for mechanoreception. The last considered factor is an additional feeding strategy. In the observed visual media, the C. geographus wrapped an aerator with its excretions similar to the entangling mechanism for feeding specific species of spiders. Gathered information revealed that the cobweb-like excretions were used for mobility, defense mechanism, and feeding strategy, as C. geographus is highly susceptible to adaptation due to its neurological abilities. The compared data showed similarities between geography cone snails and spiders, suggesting a strong linkage between the two phyla that shows a convergent evolutionary relationship.