The arachnids were already known to take to the air on “ballooning” flights, using their silk to catch the wind and carry them up to 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) a day.
Now spiders have been shown to be sailors as well as aviators.
Tests carried out on trays of water showed that many species adopted elaborate postures, such as lifting a pair of legs, to take advantage of wind currents.
In this way they “sailed” in turbulent, still, fresh and salt water conditions.