Crab spider that glows blue found among 70 possible new species in…

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTonight, though, researchers in Angola have found a crab spider that glows blue under ultraviolet light.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's the standout among more than seventy possible new species from a survey in Angola, and joining us is Tobias Strand-Vokes, who bills four thousand dollars an hour.

3. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTobias, why does it glow?

4. TS

   Tobias Strand-VokesGreat question, and on the slide, the answer is a clear maybe.

5. TS

   Tobias Strand-VokesResearchers say they don't know why yet, so we're aligned with the science, at a premium.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe scientists say it could be mating, attracting prey, or putting off predators. Is that three answers, or one answer in a trench coat?

7. TS

   Tobias Strand-VokesThree answers. On the slide it's three workstreams, and I'd quote you eleven percent on each. That number isn't on the slide.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorWhere did you get eleven percent?

9. TS

   Tobias Strand-VokesInternally.

10. TS

    Tobias Strand-VokesLook, the team also found a ladybird orb-weaver that copies a toxic beetle to scare off predators, and frankly that's a spider doing my whole business model for free.

11. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo a spider that pretends to be dangerous without billing anyone is your competition, and the glowing one is just good branding with no invoice attached.

12. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSixteen scientists and a whole expedition found this, and you've read it on a slide.

13. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSixteen scientists, one plateau, and your contribution is a slide that says maybe. I'm calling that a strong deliverable.

14. TS

    Tobias Strand-VokesI'll send you a proposal. The glow stays unexplained, but the invoice will be fully itemized.

15. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorRosa, sparkle for us!