Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
@drstrangeant.bsky.social
CT microscopist at UIUC's Beckman Institute (@beckmanillinois.bsky.social) 🔬
Entomologist and biomechanist by training 🐜 Sometimes tweet about Pokemon. Furret Aficionado. Opinions my own.
Entomologist and biomechanist by training 🐜 Sometimes tweet about Pokemon. Furret Aficionado. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
A biologist at the American Museum of Natural History, Jonathan Coddington, cataloged a new genus of South American spiders in 1986.
Two things about the spider were unique:
they lived in caves & laid cubic eggs.
So he called them genus 'Plato', and that's the nerdiest thing I have read all year.
Two things about the spider were unique:
they lived in caves & laid cubic eggs.
So he called them genus 'Plato', and that's the nerdiest thing I have read all year.
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A biologist at the American Museum of Natural History, Jonathan Coddington, cataloged a new genus of South American spiders in 1986.
Two things about the spider were unique:
they lived in caves & laid cubic eggs.
So he called them genus 'Plato', and that's the nerdiest thing I have read all year.
Two things about the spider were unique:
they lived in caves & laid cubic eggs.
So he called them genus 'Plato', and that's the nerdiest thing I have read all year.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
I’m recruiting students this upcoming cycle at UIUC! I’m excited about Qs on societal impact of AI, especially human-AI collaboration, multi-agent interactions, incentives in data sharing, and AI policy/regulation (all from both a theoretical and applied lens). Apply through CS & select my name!
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I’m recruiting students this upcoming cycle at UIUC! I’m excited about Qs on societal impact of AI, especially human-AI collaboration, multi-agent interactions, incentives in data sharing, and AI policy/regulation (all from both a theoretical and applied lens). Apply through CS & select my name!
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Tarantula foot-pad. Who knew they could be so pretty?
November 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Tarantula foot-pad. Who knew they could be so pretty?
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
North American Hoverflies! 🪰
October 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
North American Hoverflies! 🪰
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Been looking for a fresh specimen of Leucauge sarawakensis for a long time! Each time we found one, someone walked into its web. Hence, the ex situ shots.
October 30, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Been looking for a fresh specimen of Leucauge sarawakensis for a long time! Each time we found one, someone walked into its web. Hence, the ex situ shots.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Avec 53 000 espèces recensées, elles ont conquis un grande nombre de niches écologiques. Elles sont présentes partout sur la planète, sauf en Antarctique et en très haute altitude. Essentielles aux écosystèmes, elles régulent les populations d’insectes.
Araignées : nées sous une bonne toile
A l’automne, les araignées en pleine saison des amours se font plus visibles dans nos foyers. Si beaucoup d’entre nous redoutent ces rencontres impromptues, les arthropodes ne semblent pas plus émus que ça. Que sait-on vraiment de leur cognition, et de leur rapport au monde ?
Mardi 28 octobre 2025
La science, CQFD
Avec Raphaël Jeanson, ethologue, directeur de recherche au CNRS, directeur adjoint du Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale à Toulouse Christine Rollard, biologiste, spécialisée dans les araignées, maître de conférences au MNHN
Pourtant, contrairement aux abeilles ou aux fourmis, on sait peu de choses sur ces animaux à quatre paires de pattes, qui inspirent l’effroi chez un quart des Européens. Largement inoffensives, pour calmer les inquiétudes, on entend souvent l’argument : "mais ce sont elles qui ont plus peur de nous". Justement, que sait-on de la cognition des araignées ? Elles qui vivent dans un monde de vibration, si difficile à concevoir de notre point de vue humain. Comment les araignées perçoivent et transforment leur milieu ?
(...)
------
Dans la tête d’une araignée, de Raphaël Jeanson (HumenSciences, 2024)
Le cannibalisme des araignées n’apparaît qu’après une phase de tolérance juvénile (Sciences & Avenir, avril 2025)
Comment les araignées sentent-elles ? (Sciences et Avenir, 2025)
La toile de l’araignée est-elle une extension de son cerveau ? (Philomag, 2023)
Comment les araignées chassent-elles « à l’unisson » ? (CNRS, 2022)
Les araignées mangent plus de "viande" que l'humanité (Le Monde, 2017)
sco.lt
October 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Avec 53 000 espèces recensées, elles ont conquis un grande nombre de niches écologiques. Elles sont présentes partout sur la planète, sauf en Antarctique et en très haute altitude. Essentielles aux écosystèmes, elles régulent les populations d’insectes.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
intimidating stare of a female Platycryptus undatus 🙇
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
intimidating stare of a female Platycryptus undatus 🙇
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
#arachtober #jumpingspiders #salticidae
in situ, fuji, laowa 65mm
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
October 27, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Courtship dance of the peacock spider 🕷️
October 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Courtship dance of the peacock spider 🕷️
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
📢 We have an open position for a postdoc to join my lab. It's a great position @animecol-uu.bsky.social, fully salaried for 2.5 years with all benefits.
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
Postdoctoral researcher in molecular ecology - Uppsala University
Postdoctoral researcher in molecular ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University
www.uu.se
October 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📢 We have an open position for a postdoc to join my lab. It's a great position @animecol-uu.bsky.social, fully salaried for 2.5 years with all benefits.
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Danarma eurymerus found in Okinawa Island. Watch how he moves the eyes. This species was recorded from Japan just this month.
(ref/参考文献)
u-ryukyu.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/20216...
ルリメベンケイガニが目をきょろっとさせるあざとい動画です。沖縄本島にて。本州は先月日本から記録されました。
🦀🦑🧪
#crab #カニ #invertebrate
(ref/参考文献)
u-ryukyu.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/20216...
ルリメベンケイガニが目をきょろっとさせるあざとい動画です。沖縄本島にて。本州は先月日本から記録されました。
🦀🦑🧪
#crab #カニ #invertebrate
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Danarma eurymerus found in Okinawa Island. Watch how he moves the eyes. This species was recorded from Japan just this month.
(ref/参考文献)
u-ryukyu.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/20216...
ルリメベンケイガニが目をきょろっとさせるあざとい動画です。沖縄本島にて。本州は先月日本から記録されました。
🦀🦑🧪
#crab #カニ #invertebrate
(ref/参考文献)
u-ryukyu.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/20216...
ルリメベンケイガニが目をきょろっとさせるあざとい動画です。沖縄本島にて。本州は先月日本から記録されました。
🦀🦑🧪
#crab #カニ #invertebrate
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Getting close to wrapping up a big Paraphidippus aurantius 🍊video featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more 🫡
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
October 15, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Getting close to wrapping up a big Paraphidippus aurantius 🍊video featuring courtship behavior, silk production, possible mate-guarding, cannibalism and more 🫡
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
here's a big female w/ a lot of orange scales - July, 2021, NE Oklahoma
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
For anyone applying to grad school in the US this fall, the @aas.org has made a working group to monitor which programs have faced cuts - this spreadsheet contains all the info: 🔭☄️
US Astronomy Graduate Admissions, AY 2025-2026
docs.google.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
For anyone applying to grad school in the US this fall, the @aas.org has made a working group to monitor which programs have faced cuts - this spreadsheet contains all the info: 🔭☄️
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
New Collection Study Grants for students and postdocs to come visit the @burkemuseum.bsky.social! Applications due 12/15/25. www.burkemuseum.org/collections-...
Collections Study Grants
Collections study grants provide financial assistance for graduate students and post-doctoral researchers to study the collections of the University of Washington Burke Museum (UWBM).
www.burkemuseum.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:21 PM
New Collection Study Grants for students and postdocs to come visit the @burkemuseum.bsky.social! Applications due 12/15/25. www.burkemuseum.org/collections-...
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
White-jawed Jumping spider hanging out on a goldenrod bud. This fuzzy friend is native to eastern North America.
(Hentzia mitrata) #Arachtober
(Hentzia mitrata) #Arachtober
October 18, 2025 at 12:58 AM
White-jawed Jumping spider hanging out on a goldenrod bud. This fuzzy friend is native to eastern North America.
(Hentzia mitrata) #Arachtober
(Hentzia mitrata) #Arachtober
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
So I “finished” this cicada that has been taunting me since last summer. Not really the image I was aspiring to when I started but I think it’s still fairly identifiable as a cicada so I’m going to have to let it go.
October 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
So I “finished” this cicada that has been taunting me since last summer. Not really the image I was aspiring to when I started but I think it’s still fairly identifiable as a cicada so I’m going to have to let it go.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Spookiest decoration at the "Zoo Goes Boo" event at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids? Giant model of parasitoid wasps hatching from cocoons affixed to their caterpillar host.
October 13, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Spookiest decoration at the "Zoo Goes Boo" event at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids? Giant model of parasitoid wasps hatching from cocoons affixed to their caterpillar host.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
My newest paper, we used traditional microscopy combined with micro-CT scanning to revise the Strumigeny mnemosyne group. Three new Strumigenys species are described from Asia as well as virtually repair a broken paratype specimen using micro-CT derived 3D models.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
A revision of the rare Strumigenys mnemosyne (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) group using micro-CT scanning, with the description of three new species, and the virtual repair of a broken paratype
The ant genus Strumigenys is both species rich, with over 800 species described, and morphologically diverse. The Strumigenys mnemosyne species group, a collection of small and infrequently collected ...
journals.plos.org
October 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
My newest paper, we used traditional microscopy combined with micro-CT scanning to revise the Strumigeny mnemosyne group. Three new Strumigenys species are described from Asia as well as virtually repair a broken paratype specimen using micro-CT derived 3D models.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
#microCT scan of the left palpal bulb (male copulatory organ) of a grass spider I found wandering Beckman's hallways last week! 😍(He was on his last legs when he was preserved for the scan). Taken in the Microscopy Suite of @beckmanillinois.bsky.social and rendered in the Visualization Lab.
October 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
#microCT scan of the left palpal bulb (male copulatory organ) of a grass spider I found wandering Beckman's hallways last week! 😍(He was on his last legs when he was preserved for the scan). Taken in the Microscopy Suite of @beckmanillinois.bsky.social and rendered in the Visualization Lab.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Ted’s Café at the Beckman Institute
✅ Complete renovation
✅ Glass walls and welcoming décor
✅ New chef and menu
✅ New dining room
🩷 Ribbon cutting today!!!
beckman.illinois.edu/teds-cafe/be...
✅ Complete renovation
✅ Glass walls and welcoming décor
✅ New chef and menu
✅ New dining room
🩷 Ribbon cutting today!!!
beckman.illinois.edu/teds-cafe/be...
September 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Ted’s Café at the Beckman Institute
✅ Complete renovation
✅ Glass walls and welcoming décor
✅ New chef and menu
✅ New dining room
🩷 Ribbon cutting today!!!
beckman.illinois.edu/teds-cafe/be...
✅ Complete renovation
✅ Glass walls and welcoming décor
✅ New chef and menu
✅ New dining room
🩷 Ribbon cutting today!!!
beckman.illinois.edu/teds-cafe/be...
#microCT scan of the left palpal bulb (male copulatory organ) of a grass spider I found wandering Beckman's hallways last week! 😍(He was on his last legs when he was preserved for the scan). Taken in the Microscopy Suite of @beckmanillinois.bsky.social and rendered in the Visualization Lab.
October 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
#microCT scan of the left palpal bulb (male copulatory organ) of a grass spider I found wandering Beckman's hallways last week! 😍(He was on his last legs when he was preserved for the scan). Taken in the Microscopy Suite of @beckmanillinois.bsky.social and rendered in the Visualization Lab.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
Reposted by Josh Gibson, Ph.D.
That's right, folk! THREE TENURE TRACK JOBS IN BIOLOGY AT UMASS BOSTON! You might even be a good fit for more than one! Check 'em out! We'd love to have you!
October 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
That's right, folk! THREE TENURE TRACK JOBS IN BIOLOGY AT UMASS BOSTON! You might even be a good fit for more than one! Check 'em out! We'd love to have you!