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Spider Fossil

All articles tagged with #spider fossil

Ancient Australian Spider Fossils Reveal Evolutionary Secrets
paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Australian Spider Fossils Reveal Evolutionary Secrets

Scientists have discovered an astonishing 15-million-year-old spider fossil in Australia, making it the second largest spider fossil ever found. The fossil belongs to a new genus and species of brush-footed trapdoor spider called Megamonodontium mccluskyi, which was around five times larger than its living relatives. This fossil is significant because it is the first fossil of its kind ever discovered and provides valuable insights into the evolution of spiders. The discovery will help fill gaps in our knowledge of spider evolution and offers a glimpse into the lifestyle and characteristics of ancient spiders.

Ancient Spider Fossil Unearthed in Germany: A Museum Curator's Discovery
paleontology2 years ago

Ancient Spider Fossil Unearthed in Germany: A Museum Curator's Discovery

Museum curator Jason Dunlop has identified the oldest spider fossil ever found in Germany, dating back 310 to 315 million years ago. The fossil, named Arthrolycosa wolterbeeki, was discovered in a quarry near Osnabrück and is nearly complete, providing valuable insights into ancient arachnids. The spider belonged to the order Araneae and was likely a burrow-dwelling species that lived in a forested area, spinning its web on the forest floor. This discovery expands our understanding of spiders in the Paleozoic era and highlights the exceptional preservation of the specimen.