- Dr Robert Raven from Queensland museum discovered 23 rare species of spider
- The water-bound species can dive, swim and stay underwater for at least an hour
- They are now being named by the team after various actors and sporting stars
More than 20 new species of spider have been found lurking in Australian waters.
Dr Robert Raven from the Queensland Museum announced the astonishing discovery of 23 new species on Friday.
Scientists were shocked when they found the giant water spiders from Dolomedes, Ornodolomedes, Megadolomedes, Dendrolycosa and the Mangromedes genus.
More than 20 new species of spider have been found lurking in Australian waters
With only 96 confirmed sightings of the species, scientists are now tasked with naming them.
So far each have been named after various actors, scientists and sporting legends including Jack Nicholson and Mick Fanning.
Spiders from the 23 new species are capable of diving, swimming and running across a body of water.
They are able to remain underwater for at least one hour and prey on fish, tadpoles, bugs and even toads.
The spiders can remain underwater for at least one hour and prey on fish, tadpoles, bugs and even toads
‘I found a spider that hunts prey on water using waves and associated vibrations, but soon after it became apparent that there were many more spiders that fell within this group and the scope had to be extended,’ Dr Raven said.
Dr Raven said among the discovery are some of the of the most interesting he has ever seen.
‘The spiders in the Ornodolomedes genus are some of the most beautiful Australian water spiders I have ever seen in my career due to their various patterns and colours,’ he said.
The spiders can be found across Australia with new species in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Arachnologists from the Queensland Museum released his astonishing new discovery on the rare species living across the nation
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