Scientists solve mystery behind dancing spiders

Scientists say they've begun to better understand why there are so many varieties of a colourful, dancing Australian spider.

There are over a hundred different species of the Peacock spider, when most animals have only five or ten varieties.

Researchers now think this might be due to a mysterious part of the spider's genetic code.

One theory is that this may help it to adapt to changing environmental factors and form new species.

What did scientists discover?

Peacock spiders are tiny arachnids - each one is roughly the size of a grain of rice or smaller - that are found across Australia.

They get their name because of the brilliant colours that males have on their abdomen, which they show off when they dance.

They create a drumming sound with their feet and move in rhythm while displaying their amazing patterned bodies.

What makes these creatures even more remarkable is how varied they are in their appearance, songs and dance moves.

Researchers at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge decided to take a closer look at the colourful spiders and why there were so many different types.

They decided to study the spiders' genetics - the information that makes up all living things and contains instructions for how the living thing will grow and function.

The team at the Sanger Institute think the answer lies in a mysterious part of the spider's genetic code - known as "dark DNA".

Experts think that this "dark DNA" could play a big part in how spiders evolve and the reason behind how they may be able to adapt to the changing environment to form a new species.

Scientists now want to compare the results of each species, in the hope of finding out which genes are responsible for each characteristic and ultimately why there are so many different types of Peacock spider.