Tag

Barychelidae

All articles tagged with #barychelidae

science-and-environment2 years ago

"Scientists Unearth Massive Fossil of Giant Trapdoor Spider in Australian Rainforest"

Scientists have discovered the largest fossil of a trapdoor spider in Australia, belonging to the Barychelidae family. The fossil, named Megamonodontium mccluskyi, lived 11 to 16 million years ago and was found at the McGraths fossil site in New South Wales. This discovery is significant as very few spider fossils have been found in Australia, providing new information about their evolutionary history and filling a gap in our understanding of the past. The finding suggests that the spider lineage went extinct as Australia became more arid.

paleontology2 years ago

"Astonishing Discovery: Australia Unveils Second Largest Fossil Spider Ever Found"

A remarkably preserved fossil of a Megamonodontium mccluskyi, a large brush-footed trapdoor spider that lived in Australia's lush rainforest during the Miocene period, has been discovered in New South Wales. This is only the fourth spider fossil ever found in Australia and the first of its kind worldwide. The fossil provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and extinction of spiders in Australia, suggesting that aridification played a role in wiping out certain spider lineages. The detailed preservation of the fossil, including minute details of its physical features, offers clues about the spider's behavior and the changing landscape of Australia over time.