New “giant” spider found in Australia
The arachnid was named Euoplos dignitas to reflect “the spider’s impressive size and nature,” scientists at the Queensland Museum said. (Queensland Museum)
A rare and giant species of trapdoor spider has been found in Queensland, Australia, with scientists saying the arachnid is listed as an endangered species.
The tarantula was named Euoplos dignitas and is found only in the Brigalow Belt of central Queensland, Australia.
Euoplos dignitas is a large trapdoor spider that lives in open woodland and builds its burrows in the black soils of the central Queensland region of Australia.”/>Euoplos dignitas is a large trapdoor spider that lives in open woodland and builds its burrows in the black soils of the central Queensland region of Australia. (Queensland Museum)
Its name is “derived from the Latin ‘dignitas’, meaning ‘dignity’ or ‘greatness’, which ‘reflects the spider’s impressive size and nature,’ scientists at the Queensland Museum said in a press release.
“The name Euoplos dignitas derives from the Latin dignitas, meaning dignity or greatness, and is reflected in the spider’s impressive size and nature and also in a connection to the DIG project, which funded our research,” lead author, senior scientist and curator of the Queensland Museum of Arachnology, said Dr. Michael Rix in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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According to the Queensland Museum, the trapdoor spider was found by researchers who have been studying the Brigalow Belt in central Queensland for four years.
The scientists worked as part of Project DIG, a partnership with BHP and BMA “which is transforming the way the museum stores, researches and shares its collections and research.”
While the Queensland Museum didn’t share the size of their find, trapdoor spiders are typically up to 1.5 inches long and nest underground. (Queensland Museum)
Euoplos dignitas burrows underground in black soil in central Queensland, Australia.”/>Euoplos dignitas burrows underground in black soil in central Queensland, Australia. (Queensland Museum)
The spider lives in open forest habitats and builds its burrows in the black soils. The researchers said the rare species has lost much of its homeland due to land clearance, making the species endangered.
“This species is only known from very few locations around Eidsvold and Monto in central Queensland and has lost much of its habitat to deforestation, making it likely an endangered species.” Rix continued.
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According to National Geographic, trapdoor spiders are typically up to 1.5 inches long and nest underground. Their bites can cause significant swelling in humans.
Jeremy Wilson, research associate in arachnology at the Queensland Museum Network, said in a video announcing the discovery of the creepy crawler spider that the research is exciting because “you just never know what you’re going to find.”
Wilson said naming the new species has real-life implications, because being a known species means “it can be protected.”
dr Michael Rix said the experts were excited to “scientifically document this new species.” (Queensland Museum)
euplos dignitas derives from the Latin dignitas, meaning dignity or greatness, and is reflected in the spider’s impressive size and species, and also in a connection to the DIG project, which funded our research." said dr Michael Rix.”/>“The name euoplos dignitas derives from the Latin dignitas, meaning dignity or greatness, and is reflected in the spider’s impressive size and nature and also in a connection to the DIG project, which funded our research,” said Dr. Michael Rix. (Queensland Museum)
Following the researcher’s exciting discovery, the Queensland Government congratulated the scientists responsible for the groundbreaking research.
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“The Queensland Government is proud to support the Queensland Museum Network to enable worthwhile partnerships like Project DIG that lead to new knowledge and empower Queenslanders to engage with the wonders of science.” Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said in a press release.
Sarah Rumpf is a writer on Fox News Digital’s breaking news team. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc