In Australia, a country where the presence of arachnids is common, researchers have found one of the most impressive fossil sites in recent decades: the fossil of a giant spider.
This discovery, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, has been a real revolution for the leading researchers, as it is the second largest in the world.
The giant spider: a specimen between 11 and 16 million years old
This specimen, which is between 11 and 16 million years old, was named Megamonodontium mccluskyi, in reference to Dr. Simon McClusky, who found the fossil. Similar to the current species Monodontium, or trapdoor spider, this species that inhabited Australia millions of years ago would have been five times larger.
“Only four spider fossils have been found on the entire continent, which has made it difficult for scientists to understand their evolutionary history. That is why this discovery is so significant, it reveals new information about the extinction of these spiders and fills a gap in our understanding of the past,” explained the study’s lead author, Matthew McCurry.
Importance of the discovery and details of the fossil
The closest living relative to this fossil now lives in moist forests from Singapore to Papua New Guinea. This suggests that the group once occupied similar environments in continental Australia, but later became extinct as Australia became more arid.
“Not only is it the largest fossilized spider found in Australia, but it is the first fossil of the Barychelidae family found worldwide,” added the expert from the Australian Museum and the University of New South Wales. There are around 300 species of brush-footed trapdoor spiders alive today, but they do not seem to fossilize frequently because they spend a lot of time inside burrows.
Associate Professor at the University of Canberra, Michael Frese, stated that this latest fossil found showed a surprising level of detailed preservation.
“Scanning electron microscopy allowed us to study meticulous details of the claws and bristles of the pedipalps, the legs, and the main body of the spider. Bristles are hair-like structures that can have a variety of functions: detecting chemical substances and vibrations, defending the spider against attackers, and even making sounds,” Frese concluded.
Comparison with previous discoveries
We have to go back to the year 2011 to find another example of a giant fossilized spider. This specimen was found in China.
It was a female that lived about 165 million years ago and belonged to the family of golden silk orb-weavers, well-known today. As subsequent research detailed, this spider measured approximately 15 centimeters.
Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!
