Yael Lubin

Professor (Emeritus) Yael Lubin is a distinguished arachnologist at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where her research has profoundly shaped our understanding of spider ecology and behavior in desert ecosystems. Focusing on spiders as apex invertebrate predators, her work examines their critical roles as natural enemies in both agricultural and wild desert habitats, providing vital insights into biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Professor Lubin’s current research investigates the evolutionary drivers of complex social behaviors, including the transition to group living and extended maternal care. She also explores the intricacies of sexual behavior, such as sexual cannibalism, and the traits that facilitate the success of invasive species. By combining rigorous controlled laboratory observations with extensive fieldwork, she uncovers the selective processes governing dispersal and sociality. Her legacy includes pioneering studies on the genus Stegodyphus, bridging the gap between individual behavioral traits and large-scale ecological impacts in arid environments worldwide.