Scientists named it
Euoplos dignitas
.
A new species of spider has been discovered by researchers at the Queensland Museum in Brisbane, eastern Australia.
The experts announced it in a study published on March 15 in the specialized journal
Journal of Arachnology
, then relayed on Twitter.
This rare species, with a red hairy body, belongs to the type of golden trapdoor spiders.
They are so called because they are used to hiding under a small trapdoor made of silk, leaf debris and branches to attack their prey.
This species was first discovered in the early 20th century near the towns of Monto and Eidsvold, north of Brisbane.
Species threatened by land clearing
Its name
Euoplos dignitas
is derived from the Latin
dignitas
meaning dignity or greatness, reflecting the size and impressive nature of the spider.
According to arachnologist Michael Rix, quoted by
The Guardian
, females can live for more than 20 years in the wild and reach up to five centimeters in body length.
"
That's very big for a trapdoor spider
," he said.
Read alsoThe “Hyptiotes” spider stretches its web like a catapult
This discovery is part of a project launched four years ago by the Australian Museum to learn more about the biodiversity of the State of Queensland.
According to scientists, this species plays an important role in the leaf litter ecosystem and helps control insect populations.
However, it is believed to be endangered due to its small range restricted to forests in the state of Queensland.
An area frequently targeted by land clearing and bruised by flames, as was the case in 2019 and 2020. However, Michael Rix said that "
work still remains to be done
" to better understand the extent of the risks to the species. and establishing “
a step towards conservation
”.
