Current:Home > InvestNew "giant" trapdoor spider species discovered in Australia-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
New "giant" trapdoor spider species discovered in Australia
lotradecoin versus ftx comparison View Date:2024-12-25 17:22:06
Researchers have discovered a new and rare "giant" trapdoor spider species in Australia, the Queensland Museum Network announced.
Scientists found the large arachnids in the Brigalow Belt in central Queensland and named them Euplos dignitas. The name comes from the Latin word dignitas, which means dignity or greatness, "reflecting the impressive size and nature of the spider," the museum said.
The findings of a study on the species were published in the Journal of Arachnology last week.
Dr. Michael Rix, an author of the study and the principal curator of arachnology with the Queensland Museum Network, called the spiders a "big, beautiful species." They live in open woodland habitats and build burrows in the black soils of Queensland, according to the museum.
The species is known in a few locations in Eidsvold and Monto, two rural towns in the Australian state. Researchers believe they have lost much of their habitat because of land clearing, likely making them an endangered species.
Another author of the study, Dr. Jeremy Wilson, an arachnology research assistant at the Queens Museum Network, said you just "never know what you're going to find" across Australia.
"When you then get to see that through to the end, which is giving a name to that species, and knowing that that species is now known to everyone and can be protected," Wilson said.
Male spiders of the species have a honey-red exterior while females have a red-brown carapace. According to the BBC, the females can live for more than 20 years in the wild and grow up to 5 centimeters long (nearly 2 inches), while the males can grow up to 3 centimeters long (more than 1 inch). Compared to typical trapdoor spiders, which grow between a half inch and an inch, these are bigger.
Trapdoor spiders earned their names because they make a hatch to hide from their prey. Trapdoor spiders traditionally have a life span between five and 20 years. While females stay in or near their burrows, males leave once they are mature and go in search of a mate. The spiders are not a major threat to humans.
Christopher BritoChristopher Brito is a social media manager and trending content writer for CBS News.
veryGood! (26941)
Related
- Meta kills off misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle despite pleas from researchers, journalists
- She did 28 years for murder. Now this wrongfully convicted woman is going after corrupt Chicago police
- Why Megan Fox Is Telling Critics to Calm Down Over Her See-Through Dress
- Families sue to block Missouri’s ban on gender-affirming health care for kids
- Clint Eastwood's Son Scott Shares How Family Is Doing After Death of Christina Sandera
- The heat island effect traps cities in domes of extreme temperatures. Experts only expect it to get worse.
- Federal appeals court halts Missouri execution, leading state to appeal
- Swimmer Katie Ledecky ties Michael Phelps' record, breaks others at World Championships
- Social media celebrates Chick-Fil-A's Banana Pudding Milkshake: 'Can I go get in line now?'
- Women's World Cup 2023: Meet the Players Competing for Team USA
Ranking
- Bristol Palin Shares 15-Year-Old Son Tripp Has Moved Back to Alaska
- Florida rentals are cooling off, partly because at-home workers are back in the office
- Meet the world's most prolific Barbie doll collector
- Wrexham striker Paul Mullin injured in collision with Manchester United goalie Nathan Bishop
- Wisconsin’s Evers urges federal judge not to make changes at youth prison in wake of counselor death
- Elise Finch, CBS meteorologist who died at 51, remembered by family during funeral
- Love the outrageous costumes from ‘The Righteous Gemstones?’ Get the look for yourself.
- USWNT embraces pressure at World Cup; It 'has been fuel for this team,' players say
Recommendation
-
Millions of kids are still skipping school. Could the answer be recess — and a little cash?
-
Lionel Messi scores two goals, leads Inter Miami to 4-0 win over Atlanta United
-
USWNT embraces pressure at World Cup; It 'has been fuel for this team,' players say
-
Lucas Grabeel's High School Musical Character Ryan Confirmed as Gay in Disney+ Series Sneak Peek
-
Conservative are pushing a ‘parental rights’ agenda in Florida school board races. But will it work?
-
Ex-Oregon prison nurse convicted of sexually assaulting 9 women in custody
-
Minneapolis considers minimum wage for Uber, Lyft drivers
-
Biden’s dog Commander has bitten Secret Service officers 10 times in four months, records show