Jay Stafstrom
@jaystafstrom.bsky.social
Assistant Prof at Indiana University (starting Jan 2026)
neuroethology | spiders | animal behavior | spiders | sensory systems | ALAN | art | spiders
neuroethology | spiders | animal behavior | spiders | sensory systems | ALAN | art | spiders
Pinned
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
November 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Blind cave spiders~
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
This occurs due to the process of regressive evolution. In an environment without light, vision provides no advantage in finding prey or avoiding predators. The loss of their eyes means that energy and resources once used for eyes are instead allocated to other traits.
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
November 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
🚨Good news, everyone!
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
1) I'm thrilled to be joining the behavior powerhouse that is Indiana University!! So stoked, starting Jan 2026.
2) I'm recruiting grad students! Are you (or your trainee) interested in sensory ecology? behavior? evolution? fieldwork? spiders? Drop me a line Jstafstr(at)iu.edu
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
🚨 Uh-oh!!! A suuuper hot #PhD opportunity just dropped! My friend and collaborator Massimo De Agrò is looking for someone to explore jumping spider vision and neurophysiology! #psychophysics #jumpingspiders #greatPI - apply!!!! (Deadline December 17th) 🚨
November 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
🚨 Uh-oh!!! A suuuper hot #PhD opportunity just dropped! My friend and collaborator Massimo De Agrò is looking for someone to explore jumping spider vision and neurophysiology! #psychophysics #jumpingspiders #greatPI - apply!!!! (Deadline December 17th) 🚨
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
November 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🚨RA/PhD position available in evolutionary neurobiology 🚨
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Working on a deep dive into circuit changes during mushroom body expansion in Heliconius butterflies @camzoology.bsky.social
- employment benefits
- 4 years funding
- 1000% fun
Deadline: 14/1/2026
Details:
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Light pollution is a major factor in insect population declines. Switching to narrow-band LED lighting and shaded outdoor lighting could make a major difference. 🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 14, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Light pollution is a major factor in insect population declines. Switching to narrow-band LED lighting and shaded outdoor lighting could make a major difference. 🧪
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Charles Darwin the barnacle taxonomist, a story in two parts
February 13, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Charles Darwin the barnacle taxonomist, a story in two parts
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Hey All: Google is pulling the "automatically on for anyone over 18" bullshit with Gemini that the Dropbox did for its AI, but I can't afford to ditch Google Drive/Docs/Workspace.
If you have a personal Google Account, first go to gemini.google.com/extensions and turn everything off...
If you have a personal Google Account, first go to gemini.google.com/extensions and turn everything off...
January 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Hey All: Google is pulling the "automatically on for anyone over 18" bullshit with Gemini that the Dropbox did for its AI, but I can't afford to ditch Google Drive/Docs/Workspace.
If you have a personal Google Account, first go to gemini.google.com/extensions and turn everything off...
If you have a personal Google Account, first go to gemini.google.com/extensions and turn everything off...
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
We just re-locate our twitter/X-history with the help of @blueark.app and then our moving will be final. Please help us to build a new #neuroethology community here by asking colleagues to follow us and by using hashtags or linking @neuroethology.org so that we can share your content 🧪🧠🦋🪲🐝🦑🐟🦐🐜🐦🐸🐢🦈🪼
Dear #ISN members, neuroethologists & followers, the ISN council decided to agree that we delete our X account 👋 We will continue to update you here on #Bluesky & we look forward to creating a new #neuroethology community to discuss neurothology topics & research 🧠🧪
Please share in your networks 🙏
Please share in your networks 🙏
January 18, 2025 at 10:30 PM
We just re-locate our twitter/X-history with the help of @blueark.app and then our moving will be final. Please help us to build a new #neuroethology community here by asking colleagues to follow us and by using hashtags or linking @neuroethology.org so that we can share your content 🧪🧠🦋🪲🐝🦑🐟🦐🐜🐦🐸🐢🦈🪼
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Olfaction in spiders. We found that the wall pore sensilla in spiders look similar from the outside to those of insects, but differ ultrastructurally in various ways. Independent evolution!
🧪
Olfaction in spiders. We found that the wall pore sensilla in spiders look similar from the outside to those of insects, but differ ultrastructurally in various ways. Independent evolution!
🧪
Olfaction with legs—Spiders use wall-pore sensilla for pheromone detection | PNAS
The sense of smell is a central sensory modality of most terrestrial species. However,
our knowledge of olfaction is based on vertebrates and insec...
doi.org
January 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Olfaction in spiders. We found that the wall pore sensilla in spiders look similar from the outside to those of insects, but differ ultrastructurally in various ways. Independent evolution!
🧪
Olfaction in spiders. We found that the wall pore sensilla in spiders look similar from the outside to those of insects, but differ ultrastructurally in various ways. Independent evolution!
🧪
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
#Insertaninvert2024
October theme: Eyes
Lensless: Fuzzy Nautilus (Allonautilus scrobiculatus)
Lens eyes: Ogre-faced Spider (Deinopis spinosa)
Compound eyes: Drake Mackerel (Ephemera vulgata)
Eyeless: Feather Millipede (Brachycybe lecontii)
October theme: Eyes
Lensless: Fuzzy Nautilus (Allonautilus scrobiculatus)
Lens eyes: Ogre-faced Spider (Deinopis spinosa)
Compound eyes: Drake Mackerel (Ephemera vulgata)
Eyeless: Feather Millipede (Brachycybe lecontii)
December 19, 2024 at 12:42 PM
#Insertaninvert2024
October theme: Eyes
Lensless: Fuzzy Nautilus (Allonautilus scrobiculatus)
Lens eyes: Ogre-faced Spider (Deinopis spinosa)
Compound eyes: Drake Mackerel (Ephemera vulgata)
Eyeless: Feather Millipede (Brachycybe lecontii)
October theme: Eyes
Lensless: Fuzzy Nautilus (Allonautilus scrobiculatus)
Lens eyes: Ogre-faced Spider (Deinopis spinosa)
Compound eyes: Drake Mackerel (Ephemera vulgata)
Eyeless: Feather Millipede (Brachycybe lecontii)
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
My first time being part of a published article! Everything about Dolomedes in one place. I wrote the section on parental care. 🕷️
I am very grateful to all of the collaborators on this paper especially Dr. Chrissie Painting and my advisor Eileen.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ara...
I am very grateful to all of the collaborators on this paper especially Dr. Chrissie Painting and my advisor Eileen.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ara...
Frontiers | Dolomedes fishing spider biology: gaps and opportunities for future research
www.frontiersin.org
November 26, 2024 at 2:44 PM
My first time being part of a published article! Everything about Dolomedes in one place. I wrote the section on parental care. 🕷️
I am very grateful to all of the collaborators on this paper especially Dr. Chrissie Painting and my advisor Eileen.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ara...
I am very grateful to all of the collaborators on this paper especially Dr. Chrissie Painting and my advisor Eileen.
www.frontiersin.org/journals/ara...
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Alright arachnologists and arachnid enthusiasts, let’s get this started! Drop a comment below if you would like to be added or have people to add. Let’s make the official AAS starter pack 💪🕷️🦂🕸️
go.bsky.app/8Nb8974
go.bsky.app/8Nb8974
November 26, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Alright arachnologists and arachnid enthusiasts, let’s get this started! Drop a comment below if you would like to be added or have people to add. Let’s make the official AAS starter pack 💪🕷️🦂🕸️
go.bsky.app/8Nb8974
go.bsky.app/8Nb8974
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
I made a starter pack for animal behaviour researchers / ethologists! please share and feel free to self-nominate or suggest others to be added as this is very much still a work in progress and not an exhaustive list 🌍🧪😊 #SciSky #BioSky #AnimalBehaviour #AnimalBehavior #Ethology
go.bsky.app/Tr8VZpV
go.bsky.app/Tr8VZpV
November 12, 2024 at 5:05 PM
I made a starter pack for animal behaviour researchers / ethologists! please share and feel free to self-nominate or suggest others to be added as this is very much still a work in progress and not an exhaustive list 🌍🧪😊 #SciSky #BioSky #AnimalBehaviour #AnimalBehavior #Ethology
go.bsky.app/Tr8VZpV
go.bsky.app/Tr8VZpV
Okedoke, giving this app another shot. Really miss the art and science I used to see on Twitter.
Here's a quick contribution: Net-casting spider + radial symmetry = seasonally appropriate image from upstate NY.
Posting the original image too because I think it's also pretty cool :)
Here's a quick contribution: Net-casting spider + radial symmetry = seasonally appropriate image from upstate NY.
Posting the original image too because I think it's also pretty cool :)
December 9, 2024 at 12:36 AM
Okedoke, giving this app another shot. Really miss the art and science I used to see on Twitter.
Here's a quick contribution: Net-casting spider + radial symmetry = seasonally appropriate image from upstate NY.
Posting the original image too because I think it's also pretty cool :)
Here's a quick contribution: Net-casting spider + radial symmetry = seasonally appropriate image from upstate NY.
Posting the original image too because I think it's also pretty cool :)
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
Hi! I'm a senior undergrad entomology major at Cornell in the Hoy lab working with @jaystafstrom.bsky.social on the downward-facing eyes of ogre-faced spiders! Interested in sensory biology & behavior - especially with arthropod study systems (spiders haha). Looking forward to meeting new people :)
December 3, 2024 at 3:10 AM
Hi! I'm a senior undergrad entomology major at Cornell in the Hoy lab working with @jaystafstrom.bsky.social on the downward-facing eyes of ogre-faced spiders! Interested in sensory biology & behavior - especially with arthropod study systems (spiders haha). Looking forward to meeting new people :)
Reposted by Jay Stafstrom
same vibes:
October 14, 2023 at 7:29 PM
same vibes:
Friday the 13th in #Arachtober...gotta share something worthy of the occasion. Here's the first Portia I ever saw :) She was a delight.
October 14, 2023 at 2:01 AM
Friday the 13th in #Arachtober...gotta share something worthy of the occasion. Here's the first Portia I ever saw :) She was a delight.
Are folks doing #Arachtober over here?
October 10, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Are folks doing #Arachtober over here?
Buckle up, emojikitchen.dev isn't messing around.
Combining spider emoji + cat/dog/bear gives you something predictably cute (or nightmare fuel depending on your taste).
But spider + wolf emoji?
You get a MORPHOLOGICALLY ACCURATE WOLF SPIDER. Even the eye arrangement is correct. Pure brilliance.
Combining spider emoji + cat/dog/bear gives you something predictably cute (or nightmare fuel depending on your taste).
But spider + wolf emoji?
You get a MORPHOLOGICALLY ACCURATE WOLF SPIDER. Even the eye arrangement is correct. Pure brilliance.
June 23, 2023 at 8:48 PM
Buckle up, emojikitchen.dev isn't messing around.
Combining spider emoji + cat/dog/bear gives you something predictably cute (or nightmare fuel depending on your taste).
But spider + wolf emoji?
You get a MORPHOLOGICALLY ACCURATE WOLF SPIDER. Even the eye arrangement is correct. Pure brilliance.
Combining spider emoji + cat/dog/bear gives you something predictably cute (or nightmare fuel depending on your taste).
But spider + wolf emoji?
You get a MORPHOLOGICALLY ACCURATE WOLF SPIDER. Even the eye arrangement is correct. Pure brilliance.