Look away for any readers with arachnophobia, this one’s a doozy. A rare species of trapdoor spider has been discovered in Queensland, Australia. Research into this particular species has been rocky. Despite best efforts to catalogue this species, since 1970, Queensland Museum’s collection was made up only of females. Without the presence of a male, sexing and properly researching the large spider species has caused significant hurdles.
A male was discovered on a roadside in Eidsvold-Monto in 2021. It only took a grueling three-day search. And what they’ve learned about the species is remarkable. It’s been dubbed “dignitas” in reference to a truly remarkable and fantastic nature. But also in honor of Project DIG, which has allowed arachnologists to better-catalogue the Australian spider species’.
Michael Rix, Queensland Museum Network’s principle arachnology curator, says species Euoplos dignitas is very rare, and in need of much protection.
Big, Red, and Long-Lived
The females have a red-brown carapace. And the males have a “striking honey-red carapace and legs” with a greyish-brown abdomen. Unsurprisingly, the females — always the larger in the spider world — can be up to two inches long. Best not to think too hard about that if you’re not a fan of arachnids. In short, that’s big. What’s more is that these spiders have remarkable long lives. Some species of trapdoor spider live for decades. Apparently, the oldest-recorded trapdoor tarantula is a whopping 43 years-old! That’s an old spider! The researchers at the Queensland Museum are thrilled to finally be able to properly study this spider. But they’re concerned for its survival.
At present, the species is in danger of dying out. Land cleared for farming and other human interference severely disrupt their habitat. As a result, it’s difficult for Dignitas to survive. Furthermore, it’s been difficult enough to find species, let alone record their population. Rix laments that the natural range of the species extremely small. They’ve been lucky to find this male at all.
So even if you’re not thrilled with the creepy-crawlies, we give kudos to anyone pushing for the preservation of a species.
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