Recent findings reveal the existence of two previously unknown species of blind and colorless daddy longlegs spiders. These remarkable discoveries include one species thriving in the arid western expanse of Australia and another on the vibrant tropical terrain of Réunion Island.
Intriguing New Species of Spiders Could Unveil Insights on Its Evolution
Both of the newly discovered spiders have adapted to subterranean lifestyles, possibly explaining their lack of coloration and sight. This intriguing phenomenon has captured the attention of researchers, who speculate that the study of these subterranean spiders could unveil fascinating insights into the evolution and migration patterns of species throughout time.
Biologist Prashnat Sharm from the University of Wisconsin-Madison who was not part of the research team said in an interview that the findings highlight the importance of biodiversity discovery and that it is possible to find new species at even the most unexpected places.
The daddy longlegs spiders belong to the Pholcidae family, which is present across the globe and exhibita distinctive characteristic of having delicate elongated legs that eared them their nickname. These spiders are often found in dim habitats, such as basements that is why they are also referred to as cellar spiders.
However, these spiders should not be confused with the harvestmen spiders which also share the same nickname of "daddy longlegs." Whereas the latter features a singular body with slender legs, the Pholcidae spiders look like a typical spider with two segmented body parts.
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Two Newly Described Daddy Longlegs Spiders
Researchers described the spiders in a detailed account in the study, titled " First blind daddy long-legs spiders from Australia and Réunion (Araneae, Pholcidae)" published in the journal Subterranean Biology.
The first of the two species is named Belisana coblynau from the genus Belisana. It was found within mining boreholes in the Pilbara region of arid and rocky Western Australia. It's geographical isolation could mean that these spiders were widely distributed within the country about 60 million years ago when the area was covered in forests.
The team noted that the spider's adaptation to subterranean habitats, which was relatively less affected by the dramatic environmental changes in the surface, likely contributed to the survival of the species.
The second new species of daddly longlegs spider is from the Buitinga genus, which is also found underground in a lava tube on the French island of Réunion located near Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.Its closest relatives inhabit the African mainland, although it cannot be found in Madagascar despite the island's proximity to the African mainland compared to Réunion.
Moreover, this species do not engage in the "ballooning" behavior like other young spiders that create silk parachutes to catch the wind to travel between islands. Due to that, researchers believe that this new species might have traveled through a log transporting a group of them to the sea and reached the lush island of Réunion.
Nonetheless, the two newly discoverd daddy longlegs spiders share the same characteristics of being blind and colorless that might have been caused by living underground, like in mining boreholes and lava tubes.
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