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Follow on Google News | Biologist Discovers New Species of Rainforest Spider at Peru’s Tambopata Research CenterThe spider is unique in that it constructs a larger, false spider in its web, completely from debris. It is incredibly rare behavior to see an animal create a larger, 'scarier' version of itself from debris for protection.
By: Widness & Wiggins PR "I've never seen anything like this before,” claims Phil Torres, a Cornell-educated biologist who found the spider while taking wildlife photos in September 2012 near the Tambopata Research Center (http://www.perunature.com/ “The next steps are to get more photos and take a specimen for closer examination and comparison to other known species. There is a very high chance this is a new species which, when verified, we'll have to name after me, of course!” adds Torres with a wink. Rainforest Expeditions offers the following programs where guests may come across this spider or other rare species while exploring jungle trails: Tambopata Research Center Tour, six-day/five- Rainforest Wildlife Photography Tour, seven-day/six- Family Program for Teens, a six-day/five- Rainforest Expeditions’ This region is no stranger to new species. In early 2012 the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) reported on 365 previously undocumented species found in Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the Tambopata River region of southeastern Peru. More on the Spider “Because of the spider’s behavior and appearance, I thought that it might be a new species,” Torres states. “After contacting spider experts, we think it is likely in the genus Cyclosa, which is known for piling debris in its web for defense against predators but has never been recorded to do it in such a defined pattern as this particular discovery. The false spiders created by this creature appeared to be made up mostly of dead leaves but also any debris that landed in or near the web- including the remains of its past prey.” “It was very interesting to see the variation in the false spider pattern. Some clearly have 8 legs just like a spider, others range between 4 and 7, but all have a very distinct 'spider hanging in web'-like appearance. In all my studies and experience, I can safely say that it is incredibly rare behavior to see an animal create a larger, 'scarier' version of itself from debris for protection. This would likely serve to either intimidate any animal that would like to make a meal of a smaller spider or to serve as a decoy so any animal that eats it will get a mouth full of leaves rather than spider. There are several animals out there that eat spiders, including some insects, mammals, and birds, and this would appear to be an excellent defense against any visually-attracted predator. About Phil Torres Phil Torres (http://www.philtorres.net/ About Rainforest Expeditions Rainforest Expeditions (http://www.perunature.com/) Since 1989, guests of first one and now three Rainforest Expedition eco-lodges (http://www.perunature.com/ For photos and/or more information on Rainforest Expeditions please contact: Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / sara@widnesspr.com Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821 / dave@travelnewssource.com Website and Portfolio of Past Releases: http://www.travelnewssource.com/ Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ End
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