15million years old...the discovery of the second largest spider fossil
15 million years old...the discovery of the second largest spider fossil
Scientists in Australia have discovered a 15-million-year-old spider fossil, which is considered the second largest spider fossil ever found.
An amazing discovery
This enormous spider is known as Megamonodontium McCluskey and is an amazing discovery. It is characterized by an amazing size of 2 inches, and dates back to the Miocene era, about 11 to 16 million years ago, which makes it a competitor to wolf spiders living today.
According to a study published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society in Britain, the secret behind naming the spider “McCloskey” is in honor of Dr. Simon McCloskey, the dedicated scientist who discovered this exceptional specimen for the first time in June 2020.
The largest spider fossil in the world
Regarding the new discovery, the arachnologist at the Queensland Museum and the lead author of the study, Dr. Robert Raven, said that it is not only the largest fossilized spider ever found in Australia, but it is also the first fossil of the “Barychelidae” family to be found all over the world.
Raven reported that this amazing fossil belongs to the brush-footed trapdoor spider family, and it was likely that it used a cunning strategy to hunt its prey.
They rely on their camouflaged burrows to catch unsuspecting prey, and the unique lifestyle of these spiders may explain the scarcity of their fossils in the scientific record.
Amazing look at spider claws
The results of the detailed examination conducted by scientists on the spider fossil, using a scanning electron microscope, revealed amazing insight into the spider's claws, bristles (hair-like structures), and sensory adaptations.
The results of the survey indicated that the hairs of this huge spider had many functions, including:
- Chemical sensing.
- Vibration detection.
- Defense against predators.
- Making sounds.
A unique period
The new discovery of the Megamonodontium McCloskey spider fossil highlights a unique period during the Miocene Epoch, when climate change transformed the Australian landscape, providing an opportunity for a range of mega-arachnids to diversify.
During the Miocene epoch, in the midst of a wonderful chapter in Earth's history, marked by dramatic climate shifts and dry landscapes, arachnid wealth was revealed in Australia. This era provided muscular spiders with a golden opportunity to diversify, a phenomenon that has long interested scientists. Despite this, The scarcity of spider fossils from this period leaves many questions unanswered.
Source: websites