Giant Antarctic Sea Spiders' Reproductive Mystery Unraveled

Researchers have discovered how giant Antarctic sea spiders reproduce, solving a 140-year-old mystery.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa scientists have solved the reproductive mystery of giant Antarctic sea spiders, a question that puzzled researchers for over 140 years.
The discovery was made during a field research expedition to Antarctica in October 2021, where scientists observed mating sea spiders and their unique reproductive behavior.
Giant sea spiders exhibit 'polar gigantism,' growing much larger in polar regions compared to their counterparts in warmer climates.
The male parent, believed to be responsible for the offspring, attaches the eggs to the rocky bottom, where they develop for several months before hatching.
This groundbreaking discovery provides valuable insights into the reproductive biology of these mysterious creatures and their role in marine ecosystems.