The new spider is the largest of its kind in the Middle East, but unfortunately its habitat is in danger. "It is possible that there are new and unknown species that will become extinct before we can discover them," said Dr. Uri Shains from the University of Haifa, who is leading the research there
A new and hitherto unknown species of spider was discovered in the Samar sands in the southern Araba by a team of researchers from the Department of Biology of Haifa-Oranim University. But unfortunately, his habitat is in danger. "The new spider shows our commitment to preserving the sands," said Dr. Uri Shains who headed the team of researchers.
The Samar sands are the last remaining dune within the borders of Israel in the southern Arava region. In the past, the sands extended over about seven square kilometers, but due to the conversion of areas to agriculture and sand mining, the sands were reduced to less than three square kilometers.
During the various studies conducted by Dr. Shanes' group there, they also discovered the new spider, which belongs to the genus Cerbalus. Since it is found in the prairie it was named Cerbalus aravensis. According to the researchers, the length of the spider's legs can reach 14 cm, making it the largest spider of its kind in the Middle East. Although not enough items have yet been found that can teach about its biology or the number of individuals that live in the sands, the researchers know that this is a spider that is active at night, especially in the hottest months of the year, and it builds a burrow in the ground and closes it with a "rising door" that is well camouflaged with sticky sand grains .
As mentioned, the joy of the researchers at the new discovery is mixed with concern. According to Dr. Shains, Israel's land manager intends to resume mining in the Samar sands in the near future, which puts the newly discovered spider in danger of extinction. He further added that there may be additional species of unknown animals in the Samar sands, therefore everything must be done to preserve this unique area in the prairie. "The new discovery shows how much we still have to explore and that there are many more species unknown to us. If we don't protect the few habitats they still have left, they will become extinct before we can discover them", concluded Dr. Shanes.
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Mmm more interesting... is it poisonous?
Bibi where are you? miss you 🙂
Error correction and apology regarding the date of the description of the species
As mentioned, C. aravaensis has been known for many years to researchers working in the sands of the southern and northern Arava. However, the description of the species in the Arabah was published by the late Dr. Gresham Levy only in 2007 based on a specimen (female) collected (fall trap) in 2003 in Malhat Ein Evrona by Dr. Uri Sheins who headed the team of researchers working in the Samar sands . If the date of publication of the species description is the determining factor, then the discovery can be considered fresh.
It is somewhat strange to find a press release in 2010 about a publication that was published 3 years ago.
To assemble
My response referred to Cerbalus aravensis, the species name was probably omitted and I apologize, as mentioned, a formal description of the species was already published in 1989 by Gresham Levy http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122270071/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 (I have the article in the library)
So with all due respect to the research and the findings, and there is a lot of respect, this is not about this spider being a new discovery at least. This species has been known for many years from the northern and southern Arabi (even before it was formally described in the literature).
What's more, the biology of this genus and species in particular is only slightly known, so any information about it is important. The fact that this species, as far as is known, is limited only to sandy areas increases the difficulty in maintaining it and other species that are limited to the sandy habitats in the steppe.
I hope that the publication will encourage a curious researcher to investigate this species and in general the whole type that so far has not been studied in depth but on the margins as part of other studies.
My eyes are not troubled by the publication and the researchers and the publication itself, but the way things are presented to the media. Credibility in advertising is an important part of creating trust between the world of research, the public who doesn't understand much, and the media in general.
Thoughts on the evolution of spiders and other spiders:
The fact that the new species was discovered only recently makes me believe that in spiders in particular and insects in general, a relatively short time is required to create
new species. This is due to two main reasons:
1]. Apparently, in poor species with "small" DNA, the chance of a mutation-creating-a-new-species is quite high. Much higher than in species with "large" DNA. In small DNA, each gene has an expression in a trait and a large part of the traits determine sex (or strain or race). There are no "unexpressed" genes or non-sex-determining genes as in large DNA.
2]. It is enough for one single gene to have a new-species-creating-mutation, to create a new species. After all, each nest may contain several thousand eggs that hatch into thousands of offspring of the new species that can breed with each other.
therefore:
1]. It should be expected that the discovery of new species of insects will not be rare.
2]. The formation of new species of insects is accelerated under circumstances of strong environmental changes, such as those described in the article, just as any strong change in environmental conditions accelerates evolution in general.
to my baby
In the world there are many more people who are afraid of people,
compared to the arachnophobes,
In your opinion …..?
to Amir,
I searched and found no reference to the new min,
There is a reference to S.G.,
So I don't understand what's wrong with you?
to c.
"Elimination" of species, extinction of known or unknown species...
You should take a look at the many articles that explain the importance of preserving nature!
Dr. Shains expresses concern about the destruction of the habitat that may contain species unknown to man. And the question arises as to whether the elimination of unknown species is a bad thing.
Better to discover them before they become extinct?
Beyond the important publication in public opinion and in general, the inaccuracy in the publication on behalf of...
The Cerbalus mentioned in the article is not a new species. It was already defined in 1989 by Dr. Gresham Levy (The family of huntsman spiders in Israel with annotations on species of the Middle East (Araneae: Sparassidae)
This species is also known from the north of the steppe (there it is also in danger of extinction due to the conversion of sandy areas into agricultural areas). I got to meet it several times (in the XNUMXs) and indeed it is a very impressive species and its little-known biology is particularly interesting.
The genus Cerbalus has 3 species in Israel (the others are found in the Negev). A good picture of the aravaensis can be seen in the link http://albums.timg.co.il/userFolders/9/113868/11386820082221934.jpg?timeOld=0
I wonder if the spiders that weave webs do it instinctively or guided...
If the first, I wonder how it is indicated in the gardens...
One of the scariest things..
Bibi, why bad words?
This is a happy event in the world of spider research...
May all spiders perish...
[Arachnophobia]