Jumping spiders show REM-like sleep patterns, study finds

Researchers studying Australian jumping spiders have found that the arachnids pass through distinct sleep stages resembling REM sleep. During these periods, the spiders alternate between stillness and brief muscle movements along with eye twitches. The findings indicate that spider sleep may be more sophisticated than scientists previously assumed. Future work will examine how these animals sleep in their natural habitats. The results could also shed light on the relationship between sleep and cognition across different species.