Arachnophobes look away! Five terrifying JUMPING spiders are discovered in Australia – and they’re almost impossible to see
- Arachnologists have discovered five new species of jumping spider in Australia
- They are barely the size of a grain of rice and can be difficult to spot
- Four of the five new species are from Queensland and one is from NSW
- One spider has been named after late German fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld
Arachnologists have discovered five new species of brushed jumping spider, which are barely the size of a rice grain.
One spider has been named after late German fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld for its large black eyes like sunglasses and black and white front legs.
German arachnologist Barbara Baehr along with colleagues Dr Joseph Schubert from Monash University and Dr Danilo Harms from the University of Hamburg made the discoveries in Queensland and New South Wales.
Arachnologists in Australia have discovered five new species of brushed jumping spider, which are barely the size of a rice grain. One spider (pictured) has been named after late German fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld for its large black eyes like sunglasses and its black and white front legs.
Dr Baehr, who has classified dozens of spiders, said little spiders have more interesting features and characteristics.
‘Jumping spiders are among some of the most beautiful spiders in Australia, yet almost nothing is known about their diversity and taxonomic identity,’ she said.
‘These tiny spiders are quick to capture the hearts of the public and naturalists.’
Four of the five new species are from Queensland and one is from New South Wales.
At only a few millimetres, they can be difficult to spot.
German arachnologist Barbara Baehr along with colleagues Dr Joseph Schubert from Monash University and Dr Danilo Harms from the University of Hamburg made these discoveries in Queensland and New South Wales (pictured one of the five brushed jumping spiders)
The male brushed jumping spider is known for an elaborate mating dance involving a brush of long and often colourful setae on their legs like butterflies. (pictured another discovered species of brushed jumping spider)
The male brushed jumping spider is known for an elaborate mating dance involving a brush of long and often colourful setae on their legs (like butterflies).
The five are close relatives of the Australian peacock spiders which also perform courtship dances for females.
Dr Baehr first discovered the fascination with tiny little spiders spiders in Germany’s Black Forest and it led her to Australia, where scientists estimate more than 70 per cent of spiders remain unclassified.
Some 3500 species of Australian spiders have been classified but scientists believe that number will eventually soar past 10,000 species.
At only a few millimetres, they can be difficult to spot (pictured another discovered species of brushed jumping spider)