Dinesh Rao
@dinrao.bsky.social
Spider behaviour; predator prey interactions, colouration, webs. Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico.
Raospiderlab.org
#mefite
Raospiderlab.org
#mefite
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
New PhD alert! We'll be applying animal welfare ideas to look at how stress affects bees, looking at the effect on bee brains with @lenariab.bsky.social, and working with @sensibee.bsky.social developing new monitoring methods.
Please spread the word! #bees #PhD 🧪
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please spread the word! #bees #PhD 🧪
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The effect of stress on pollinator behaviour at Newcastle University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - The effect of stress on pollinator behaviour at Newcastle University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:21 PM
New PhD alert! We'll be applying animal welfare ideas to look at how stress affects bees, looking at the effect on bee brains with @lenariab.bsky.social, and working with @sensibee.bsky.social developing new monitoring methods.
Please spread the word! #bees #PhD 🧪
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please spread the word! #bees #PhD 🧪
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
I am looking for a PhD working on tracking trait changes in insects/spiders at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity change @leibnizlib.bsky.social and the University of Hamburg.
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Job advertisement
www.uni-hamburg.de
February 3, 2026 at 8:42 AM
I am looking for a PhD working on tracking trait changes in insects/spiders at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity change @leibnizlib.bsky.social and the University of Hamburg.
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
This might be the most metal beetle I've ever seen.
January 18, 2026 at 5:34 PM
This might be the most metal beetle I've ever seen.
I'm going to keep a #booklog this year. First in 2026 was Richard Powers' Playground. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/s.... This book had a few of my recent obsessons: the game Go, polynesia and of course AI.
Playground by Richard Powers review – an electrifyingly beautiful tale of tech and the ocean
The wonders of oceanic life shine through in a magical book that is at once Anthropocene novel, disquieting AI thriller, postcolonial allegory and a portrait of friendship
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:46 PM
I'm going to keep a #booklog this year. First in 2026 was Richard Powers' Playground. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/s.... This book had a few of my recent obsessons: the game Go, polynesia and of course AI.
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
Have you ever wondered what you would find if you could keep your eyes on a bee for more than a few meters? Us, too!
preprint (with videos!) + thread 🧵
Precise, individualized foraging flights in honey #bees 🐝 revealed by multicopter drone-based tracking
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
1/9
preprint (with videos!) + thread 🧵
Precise, individualized foraging flights in honey #bees 🐝 revealed by multicopter drone-based tracking
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
1/9
December 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Have you ever wondered what you would find if you could keep your eyes on a bee for more than a few meters? Us, too!
preprint (with videos!) + thread 🧵
Precise, individualized foraging flights in honey #bees 🐝 revealed by multicopter drone-based tracking
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
1/9
preprint (with videos!) + thread 🧵
Precise, individualized foraging flights in honey #bees 🐝 revealed by multicopter drone-based tracking
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
1/9
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
We present: The Art of #InverteFest - December 2025 Edition
A digital art book showcasing the work of 100 artists from around the world, in celebration of overlooked invertebrate fauna.
Thank you to the artists who contributed to our book!
Download: drive.google.com/file/d/1JCXz...
#Art #SciArt
A digital art book showcasing the work of 100 artists from around the world, in celebration of overlooked invertebrate fauna.
Thank you to the artists who contributed to our book!
Download: drive.google.com/file/d/1JCXz...
#Art #SciArt
December 28, 2025 at 3:55 AM
We present: The Art of #InverteFest - December 2025 Edition
A digital art book showcasing the work of 100 artists from around the world, in celebration of overlooked invertebrate fauna.
Thank you to the artists who contributed to our book!
Download: drive.google.com/file/d/1JCXz...
#Art #SciArt
A digital art book showcasing the work of 100 artists from around the world, in celebration of overlooked invertebrate fauna.
Thank you to the artists who contributed to our book!
Download: drive.google.com/file/d/1JCXz...
#Art #SciArt
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
This is excellent: Tips and Tricks for Writing Constructive Peer Reviews
Perhaps the most excellent part is this subhead: "Remember that peer review is not meant to crush souls". Right? Peer review should improve papers (and OK, gatekeep a little) - not make an author regret their career choices!
Perhaps the most excellent part is this subhead: "Remember that peer review is not meant to crush souls". Right? Peer review should improve papers (and OK, gatekeep a little) - not make an author regret their career choices!
In my first Editorial as Associate Editor for @conphysjournal.bsky.social, we help combat this lack of training by providing some "tips and tricks" for writing constructive peer reviews, based on our collective experiences as editors for multiple scientific journals.
Tips and tricks for writing constructive peer reviews
Peer review has been the cornerstone of scientific inquiry for centuries and is considered the backbone of scientific quality and rigour (Spier, 2002). Des
academic.oup.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This is excellent: Tips and Tricks for Writing Constructive Peer Reviews
Perhaps the most excellent part is this subhead: "Remember that peer review is not meant to crush souls". Right? Peer review should improve papers (and OK, gatekeep a little) - not make an author regret their career choices!
Perhaps the most excellent part is this subhead: "Remember that peer review is not meant to crush souls". Right? Peer review should improve papers (and OK, gatekeep a little) - not make an author regret their career choices!
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
1/8
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
December 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM
1/8
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
A new spider genus from Madagascar!
Researchers led by Matjaž Kuntner (National Institute of Biology, Slovenia) have described Osmooka aphana, discovered in the montane forests of Marojejy National Park.
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
We're excited to announce the finalists of the #RSPPhotoComp 2025! 🎉 Starting with #microimaging and overall winner, 'Mesmerizing spider threads' by Dr Martin Ramirez, capturing two exceptional silk threads of the Australian net-caster spider (sample obtained by Dr Jonas Wolff @evoimec.bsky.social).
December 4, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We're excited to announce the finalists of the #RSPPhotoComp 2025! 🎉 Starting with #microimaging and overall winner, 'Mesmerizing spider threads' by Dr Martin Ramirez, capturing two exceptional silk threads of the Australian net-caster spider (sample obtained by Dr Jonas Wolff @evoimec.bsky.social).
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
Dr Mark “Spider Man” Harvey, Western Australian Museum Research Associate and Associate Editor of our journal Invertebrate Systematics, has reached an extraordinary milestone: he has described 1,000th species.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
#InvertebrateSys
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
#InvertebrateSys
Naming species is crucial to conserving them according to spider expert - ABC listen
Living scientist Dr Mark Harvey reaches rare milestone of naming 1000 species of invertebrates.
www.abc.net.au
December 2, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Dr Mark “Spider Man” Harvey, Western Australian Museum Research Associate and Associate Editor of our journal Invertebrate Systematics, has reached an extraordinary milestone: he has described 1,000th species.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
#InvertebrateSys
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
#InvertebrateSys
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
🚨Two funded PhDs on the evolutionary ecology of antipredator colouration 🦋 with myself and Iliana Medina.
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
December 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
🚨Two funded PhDs on the evolutionary ecology of antipredator colouration 🦋 with myself and Iliana Medina.
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
One in Swansea tinyurl.com/4thtbph6 deadline Jan 12th @crocus-dla.bsky.social
The other in Melbourne - deadline Jan 1st
Please share among potential students!
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
The International Society of Arachnology has a new website! 🕷️🕸️🦂🌎🌍🌏
arachnology.org/home
arachnology.org/home
Home: International Society of Arachnology
arachnology.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The International Society of Arachnology has a new website! 🕷️🕸️🦂🌎🌍🌏
arachnology.org/home
arachnology.org/home
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
Come and work with us in our new home @bristolbiosci.bsky.social ! This fully funded PhD opportunity is open to anyone interested in spiders/eyes/light pollution/evolution/development! 🕷️👀
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Come and work with us in our new home @bristolbiosci.bsky.social ! This fully funded PhD opportunity is open to anyone interested in spiders/eyes/light pollution/evolution/development! 🕷️👀
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
⏰Deadline 15th December, online info event TODAY @2pm! Link in the PhD advert👉 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
🚨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 Dinesh Rao
🚨 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 Dinesh Rao
ISS astronauts photograph two comets soaring over Earth’s auroras www.popsci.com/science/come...
ISS astronauts photograph two comets soaring over Earth's auroras
Enjoy it, because SWAN isn’t due back for another 22,554 years.
www.popsci.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
ISS astronauts photograph two comets soaring over Earth’s auroras www.popsci.com/science/come...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
Hello everyone!
One of my colleagues and probably one of the best supervisors I've met, Dr. Iliana Medina, is advertising a PhD position involving lots of bugs and many different colours! More info in the image below, do share this widely!!
One of my colleagues and probably one of the best supervisors I've met, Dr. Iliana Medina, is advertising a PhD position involving lots of bugs and many different colours! More info in the image below, do share this widely!!
November 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Hello everyone!
One of my colleagues and probably one of the best supervisors I've met, Dr. Iliana Medina, is advertising a PhD position involving lots of bugs and many different colours! More info in the image below, do share this widely!!
One of my colleagues and probably one of the best supervisors I've met, Dr. Iliana Medina, is advertising a PhD position involving lots of bugs and many different colours! More info in the image below, do share this widely!!
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
This is amazing! "a large cruciform cache containing the earliest known directional color symbols in Mesoamerica" www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Landscape-wide cosmogram built by the early community of Aguada Fénix in southeastern Mesoamerica
The cosmogram of Aguada Fénix built over the landscape between 1050 and 700 BCE rivaled the extents of later Mesoamerican cities.
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
This is amazing! "a large cruciform cache containing the earliest known directional color symbols in Mesoamerica" www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
i want to go to there
World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black
www.livescience.com/animals/spid...
www.livescience.com/animals/spid...
World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black
A giant colonial spiderweb in a sulfuric cave on the border between Greece and Albania may be the largest ever found — and it was built by spiders we didn't know liked the company of others.
www.livescience.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:07 PM
i want to go to there
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
New #PhD ad alert!
Interested in wild #bee #cognition and #brains in different #bumblebees? Want to live in #Newcastle and the beautiful north-east of England?
Check out this project with me, @lenariab.bsky.social and Sarah Scott. Contact me for further information.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Interested in wild #bee #cognition and #brains in different #bumblebees? Want to live in #Newcastle and the beautiful north-east of England?
Check out this project with me, @lenariab.bsky.social and Sarah Scott. Contact me for further information.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
The cognitive ecology of wild bumblebees
iapetus.ac.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
New #PhD ad alert!
Interested in wild #bee #cognition and #brains in different #bumblebees? Want to live in #Newcastle and the beautiful north-east of England?
Check out this project with me, @lenariab.bsky.social and Sarah Scott. Contact me for further information.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Interested in wild #bee #cognition and #brains in different #bumblebees? Want to live in #Newcastle and the beautiful north-east of England?
Check out this project with me, @lenariab.bsky.social and Sarah Scott. Contact me for further information.
iapetus.ac.uk/studentships...
Reposted by Dinesh Rao
Bookmarked this for teaching but also for my own kid when he's old enough.
"You'll probably forget most of what you learn, especially if you don't end up using it repeatedly in future. What you will always have, though, is the mind that taking the courses made."
"You'll probably forget most of what you learn, especially if you don't end up using it repeatedly in future. What you will always have, though, is the mind that taking the courses made."
October 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Bookmarked this for teaching but also for my own kid when he's old enough.
"You'll probably forget most of what you learn, especially if you don't end up using it repeatedly in future. What you will always have, though, is the mind that taking the courses made."
"You'll probably forget most of what you learn, especially if you don't end up using it repeatedly in future. What you will always have, though, is the mind that taking the courses made."