Three new species of spiders were discovered on the island of St. Helena: they are threatened with extinction
On the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, scientists discovered three new species of spiders. According to scientists, these invertebrates are under threat of extinction, writes The Guardian. One of the spiders found was named Molearachne M. sanctaehelenae. Representatives of this species can create unique mounds. Because of this, they are also called “mole spiders”. In addition to it, two more species were discovered on the island, which they named Dolocosa joshuai and Hogna veseyensis. These species of spiders live in the cloud forest (tropical or subtropical evergreen mountain rain forest – ed.). One of the discovered spiders is the Mole Spider. Photo: Philip Ashmole/The Guardian According to experts, the cloud forest in the British Overseas Territory needs to be restored. Previously, its territory occupied 600 hectares of the island, but due to the cutting of trees, only 16 hectares remained. It is these plantations that ensure the availability of fresh water on the island. Lisa Fowler, an invertebrate specialist at the National Trust for St. Helena, said the island is home to 120 endemic species. “And who knows how many more are unidentified who need protection,” she added. Therefore, the island’s authorities, with the support of Great Britain, are creating a project that provides water by capturing fog by 25%. Its purpose is to increase the area of the forest. We will remind, in Australia, after the flood, millions of spiders covered the roads with a continuous web. Read also: What insects and other invertebrates look like up close. PHOTO
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