News

New spider species named after Greta

June 12, 2020 10:54 PM


Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg can add to her list of personal accolades, including TIME magazine's Person of the Year, a group of spiders named after her.

Thunberga gen. nov. is a new genus of huntsman spiders from Madagascar, described by German arachnologist Peter Jager, and named after the wunderkind in honour of her commitment to tackling climate change.

"The rising temperatures affect all areas of nature -– including the endemic diversity and spider fauna of Madagascar," said Jager, who has participated in several protests inspired by Thunberg's School Strike for Climate.

In a study printed in the scientific journal Zootaxa, Jager explained that the new genus differed from other huntsmans in their eye arrangement and unique dotted patterns on their backs. Jager, who has discovered several new spider species in a career spanning 20 years, said he hoped that by naming the creepy crawlies after Thunberg he could draw attention to the issue of biodiversity loss in Madagascar.

He named a previous discovery of Southeast Asian huntsman spider Heteropoda davidbowie. Unlike most spiders, huntsman don't spin webs and hunt and forage instead for their food.

During his latest expedition, Jager also discovered a heretofore unknown species of huntsman on the island. Its name? Thunberga greta.



Most Read

  1. Here are some unknown facts about Mahira Khan hubby Salim Karim Here are some unknown facts about Mahira Khan hubby Salim Karim
  2. Punjab declares high alert as Nipah Virus threat looms large Punjab declares high alert as Nipah Virus threat looms large
  3. Dutch scientist predicts massive quake to hit Balochistan in next 48 hours Dutch scientist predicts massive quake to hit Balochistan in next 48 hours
  4. Here's something significant about Mahira Khan’s destination wedding Here's something significant about Mahira Khan’s destination wedding
  5. Former gang leader charged with rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder Former gang leader charged with rapper Tupac Shakur's 1996 murder
  6. Another video of randy biker harassing female student in Karachi surfaces Another video of randy biker harassing female student in Karachi surfaces

Opinion

  1. Gandhi for the world and Godse for India:Subterfuge or plainspokenness
    Gandhi for the world and Godse for India:Subterfuge or plainspokenness

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai

  2. China National Day: Strengthening China-Pakistan Friendship and Coordinated Economic Cooperation
    China National Day: Strengthening China-Pakistan Friendship and Coordinated Economic Cooperation

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Gender equality: A pre-requisite for a balanced society
    Gender equality: A pre-requisite for a balanced society

    By Mehak Sabir

  4. Time to move on and build a better Pakistan
    Time to move on and build a better Pakistan

    By Murtaza Rafiq Bhutto

  5. Asif Zardari as next PM could potentially unite political parties for economic stability
    Asif Zardari as next PM could potentially unite political parties for economic stability

    By Rehan Khan Ghauri