Light pollution is shrinking the brains of city-dwelling spiders, study says

An Australian garden orb-weaving spider of the type studied for the research. Photograph: Tiago Brissos/The Guardian

Light pollution is shrinking the brains of city-dwelling spiders in ways that could affect their ability to climb and hunt, according to new research.

The study published in the journal Biology Letters found exposing juvenile garden orb weaving spiders to light pollution reduced their brain development, particularly in an area used for vision.