Rebis Colony Spider

The Rebis colony spider (Rebis nelli) is a small white arthropod-like creature, similar in appearance to a large spider or a long-legged white crab. It displays theorized group intelligence or swarm intelligence, with large colonies of spiders forming ambulatory masses of sufficient power and coordination to match that of a mechanized chassis. The group intelligence appears to be predicated on some form of radiofrequency transmission and reception, although the exact mechanism requires further study.

The colony spider may, in large masses, have tool usage capability; alternatively they may simply be drawn to large sources of radiation in excess of 4 Gy, notably mechanized chassis reactors. They are also capable of sophisticated dissection of their prey, including the integration of human flesh, wood, metal, rock, etc. into colony 'armatures'.

First encounter

The first colony spiders encountered were a mass animating a mechanized chassis. Investigation revealed that the muscular system of the former pilot had been threaded through the armature. Application of high explosive and electrical stimulation provoked the mass before it self-immolated by (apparently purposefully) detonating the coldcore of the chassis by striking it repeatedly against a rock until its containment system failed.

Further research

KNOWN FACTORS:

Individual spiders are highly fragile and easily killed by glancing hits from mech-scale weapons. Some communication by radio frequency mechanism. Provoked and distracted easily by electrical and radiofrequency stimulation. Colony organism. Expert manipulation and exploitation of complex organic and inorganic structures.

UNKNOWN FACTORS:

Intelligence. (Tool usage?) Hunting behaviors. Genome. Solitary behaviors. Life cycle.

Further study is extremely important.

--Nell Fogler (Acting Xenobiologist)