Cornell University was awarded a three-year $725,171 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation under the Biological Sciences federal grant program (CFDA 47.074) to conduct research titled "Evolutionary and Functional Trade-offs in Extreme Sensory Capabilities of Nocturnal Predatory Spiders." The goal of this research collaboration is to advance understanding of major biological questions regarding how nocturnal spiders have evolved enhanced sensory abilities to hunt at night and the functional trade-offs associated with these extreme sensory capabilities. In keeping with the objectives of the Biological Sciences program to strengthen the nation's biological research enterprise and increase scientific knowledge in this field, the funding will support Cornell University researchers as they work to elucidate the evolutionary pathways and physiological mechanisms that enable nocturnal spiders to detect and capture prey in low-light conditions.
Generated 1/6/24, 10:59 PM