New Species of Tarantula among many discoveries on our evolving planet - By Jake

Sri Lanka is home to a new species of tarantula—and its females are fuzzy, brilliantly  turquoise-tinged, and big enough to comfortably hug a donut.

Scientists found the arachnids within an isolated patch of southwestern rainforest, ringed by tea and rubber plantations. Living in tubular, silk-lined burrows, they are fast and aggressive, seizing unlucky insects that wander too close to their underground lairs. Measuring roughly five inches from tip to tip, these spiders are not exactly small, nor are their brilliant blue patches particularly subtle.
 

In fact, it’s these snazzy blue colors that first caught biologist Ranil Nanayakkara’s attention, and flagged the critters—now named Chilobrachys jonitriantisvansicklei—as potentially new to science.

“When we first spotted them I was in awe, lost for words,” Nanayakkara says of the decked-out females. “The males,” he notes, “are smaller and are mossy brown in color.”
 

The fluorescent blue tarantula is only the second species to be found in Sri Lanka; the first, a drab brown arachnid called C. nitelinus, was identified 126 years ago. Why this brand new genus has evolved no one knows and why so brightly colored, scientists can't explain although, there are other brightly colored species of spider. They are usually the male gender, brightly dressed to attract females. In this case the female is colorful. Perhaps it is a reversal of roles.
 

There has been a rise in the discovery of new species on the planet in the past decade. Perhaps nature has speeded up evolution to adapt to the changing climate.

A new species of venomous swarming spider was discovered in India recently when a swarm of thousands attacked a village leaping on people, biting them and making them seriously ill. They still have not been identified.
 

 Tarantulas can live for thirty years and have been known to grow to a leg span of eleven inches. Some of them make great pets and are harmless. Although they could bite if they felt threatened, they are not venomous. Females are larger than the males and usually eat the male after mating. You would think the males would learn to get away quickly after mating but they are either too slow or not too bright. Not many male tarantulas survive to mate again.

 

Favorite new species discovered in the last ten years

 

Micro Chameleon. Just over half an inch long - discovered in 2012

 

The Stabbing Shark discovered in 2011.  It's small but aggressive

 

Joker Crab discovered in the Philipines in 2012


Pig Nosed Vampire Rat from Indonesia


World's first glow-in-the-dark sea turtle discovered in 2016

By Jake Mahood