World's oldest spider discovered in Australia
30 April 2018 6:03 AM IST
Melbourne: Scientists have discovered what may be the world's oldest recorded spider - a 43-year-old arachnid in Australia. The Giaus Villosus trapdoor matriarch, which recently died during a long-term population study, had outlived the previous world record holder, a 28-year old tarantula found in Mexico.
The ongoing research has led to new discoveries about the longevity of the trapdoor spider, researchers said.
"To our knowledge this is the oldest spider ever recorded, and her significant life has allowed us to further investigate the trapdoor spider's behaviour and population dynamics," said Leanda Mason, PhD student at Curtin University in Australia.
"The research project was first initiated by Barbara York Main in 1974, who monitored the long-term spider population for over 42 years in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia," Mason said.
"Through Barbara's detailed research, we were able to determine that the extensive life span of the trapdoor spider is due to their life-history traits, including how they live in uncleared, native bushland, their sedentary nature and low metabolisms," she said.
Researchers were able to gather information regarding the spider's age, cause of death, and a better understanding of its life history.
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