Science Visualized Animals

Peacock spiders’ superblack spots reflect just 0.5 percent of light

New images reveal microscopic structures that manipulate light to create the dark patches

peacock spider

BLACK OUT  Microscopic bumps on male Maratus speciosus peacock spiders (shown) make some of their black patches appear even darker, which may help the arachnids attract a mate.

Jürgen C. Otto

By Carolyn Wilke

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