Hairy eight-legged creatures seen mating in China and discovered as new species
At a nature reserve in central China, a hairy eight-legged creature sought out a mate. But its success was short-lived — and noticed by visiting scientists.
The pair of animals turned out to be a new species.
Researchers headed into the mountainous forests of Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in fall 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Aug. 2 in the peer-reviewed Biodiversity Data Journal. The park sat within an important ecological area.
During their nighttime surveys, researchers found five unfamiliar-looking spiders, the study said. They caught the arachnids “with bare hands” and, upon taking a closer look, soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Pseudopoda guanmenshan, or the Guanmenshan huntsman spider.
Guanmenshan huntsman spiders appear small, about half an inch in length, the study said. They have eight eyes, eight legs and hairy “yellowish-brown” bodies with some “black patches.”
A photo shows the new species mating, researchers said. The pair of spiders appear to be stacked atop one another.
Guanmenshan huntsman spiders live at elevations of about 4,000 feet and were often found on leaves, the study said.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Guanmenshan Scenic Area where it was discovered and, so far, the only area where it has been found. This site is part of the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in central China’s Hubei Province, a roughly 800-mile drive southwest from Beijing.
The new species was identified by its genitalia and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
The research team included Lelei Wen, Changchun Li and Yang Zhong.
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 8:29 AM with the headline "Hairy eight-legged creatures seen mating in China and discovered as new species."
