New Giant Tarantula Species on the Move

[longknife]

From Wired.com

On Apr. 2, we reported the discovery of a presumptive new species of tarantula in Sri Lanka, set apart from its relatives by unique markings on its abdomen and legs. Called Poecilotheria rajaei, the spiders can span 8 inches across — which, according to our own careful measurements, means they’re large enough to easily latch onto the average human face (or your cat’s entire head, but too big to comfortably lurk in your shoe. You choose).

Now, there’s a video of the arachnid superstar, shot by researcher and discoverer Ranil Nanayakkara. Watching this behemoth crawl around is a surprisingly tactile experience. Flashing bits of bright yellow, the spider grasps onto and climbs over a bit of bark, then creeps across a pile of leaves. And though the video is slightly out of focus, the spider’s beautiful geometric patterns are clearly visible.

For those of you angling for a shot of the species-identifying pink band on its belly, we offer this:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cv-lt9mKEDA][Video] Giant tarantula as big as human face discovered in Sri Lanka - YouTube[/ame]

 

[longknife]

Here's some more with interesting links:
Meet the Tarantula as Big as Your Face : Discovery News

 

[waltky]

New animals, fish and plants found in Vietnam/Cambodia Mekong area...

ENVIRONMENT: More than 300 new species revealed in Mekong region
Fri, Jun 06, 2014 - ALL AROUND US: Previously unknown animals, fish and plants were found in the Mekong River region in 2012 and last year, some well-hidden and others in plain sight

A series of high-flying creatures, including giant flying frogs and squirrels and a parachute gecko, are among the hundreds of exotic new species recently discovered in the greater Mekong region in Southeast Asia. A new eyeless spider and a fish that mates head-to-head are also highlighted in a report from WWF on the extraordinary biodiversity in the forests surrounding the Mekong River, which runs through Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China, and is also home to about 325 million people.

The discovery of more than 300 new species of animals, fish and plants in the region in 2012 and last year comes as scientists revealed that human activities such as the destruction of habitats, hunting and the pollution of land and water have driven extinction rates to 1,000 times faster than the natural rate. “Most species remain unknown to science and they likely face greater threats than the ones we do know,” said Stuart Pimm, an ecologist at Duke University in North Carolina, and who led the new study published in Science. Without urgent action, further rises in extinction rates are likely, heralding what many believe could become the sixth mass extinction in Earth’s history, he said.

A handout photograph made available by WWF yesterday shows a Cambodian tailorbird in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The discoveries in the Mekong region illustrate how, even as many species are dying out, new animals can be revealed even in heavily populated areas. The new species of red-and-white-furred flying squirrel was discovered on sale in a bush meat market in Laos. In Cambodia, a new tailorbird warbler was found hiding in plain sight in the Phnom Penh, during routine checks for avian flu. “The species discoveries affirm the Greater Mekong as one of the world’s richest and most biodiverse regions,” said Thomas Gray, manager of WWF-Greater Mekong’s Species Program. “If we’re to prevent these new species disappearing into extinction, and to keep alive the hope of finding other fascinating creatures in years to come, it’s critical that governments invest in conservation.”

Among the 21 new amphibian species discovered is Helen’s flying frog, discovered less than 100km from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The huge green frog managed to evade biologists until recently by using its large, webbed hands and feet to glide between treetops and only coming down to breed in rain pools. It was found in a patch of forest surrounded by farmland, highlighting the urgent need for conservation. “Lowland tropical forests are among the most threatened habitats in the world due to human pressures, such as logging and degradation,” Gray said. Also discovered in Vietnam was a tiny new fish with a very complex anatomy which includes having its sex organs just behind its mouth.

ENVIRONMENT: More than 300 new species revealed in Mekong region - Taipei Times

 

[skookerasbil]

Longknife bro......you are the only guy in here bringing new and interesting stuff to the ENVIRONMENT forum. The rest are pushing this globalist, redistribution agenda that is this climate change crap.

Keep it coming bro.......

 

[Sunni Man]

I agree........

 

[Sarah G]

Longknife bro......you are the only guy in here bringing new and interesting stuff to the ENVIRONMENT forum. The rest are pushing this globalist, redistribution agenda that is this climate change crap.

Keep it coming bro.......

I don't know, this last was like my worst nightmare.

J/K, Interesting stuff.

 

[strollingbones]

i like spiders....

 

[Mr Natural]

i like spiders....

I agree.

They mind their own business and don't go out of their way to be annoying like flies or mosquitos for example.

 

[Sarah G]

i like spiders....

I agree.

They mind their own business and don't go out of their way to be annoying like flies or mosquitos for example.

Yep and as long as they stay out of my sight, they can live.

 

[bripat9643]

i like spiders....

I agree.

They mind their own business and don't go out of their way to be annoying like flies or mosquitos for example.

Or liberals, for that matter.

 

[mamooth]

We have a couple kooks bringing their political obsessions into every thread. Skook, bri, please stop acting like such assholes.