Native katipō outdone by invader in the spider Olympics

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-10-10 10:54

New Zealand

© Arnim Littek CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

NZ researchers have shown why native katipō may be at a disadvantage against the introduced false katipō, or black cobweb spider. They captured nine of each from the same beach and put them through sports trials mimicking movements in their natural habitat: exploring a maze, climbing a pole, and running on a flat track chased by a paintbrush. Katipō averaged about five times longer to finish the run, which could be because they often slowed or stopped when chased, whereas their competitors kept running. Although they moved at similar speeds in the maze, false katipō explored more, a trait which could help them to invade new areas quickly and live in a wider range of habitats. The researchers say it's a small study, but shows how movement and behaviour contribute to introduced species doing well while native species decline.