According to a reporter in Havana, a team of researchers from Masaryk University (Czech Republic) and the Cuban Zoological Society has discovered a new species of spider belonging to the genus Trichopelma in western Cuba. This large spider is characterized by its hairy legs.
New spider species belonging to the genus Trichopelma, discovered in western Cuba. (Photo: EFE).
The research was published in the Journal of Natural History, highlighting the unique biodiversity of the Greater Antilles islands, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
The natural conditions in this archipelago encourage the evolution of a high number of endemic species, especially spiders. In the study, the scientists extracted and sequenced the DNA of the new spider species to determine its placement within the genus Trichopelma.
The research indicates that in the new spider species, adult males exhibit long hair on their legs. The abdomen of the spider features a striking pattern of spots and six horizontal stripes. Its body is adorned with chestnut-brown hairs, exposing a smooth and dark midsection. The head is also larger than that of other species in the genus.
The new spider species was discovered in Viñales National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in western Cuba. Four spiders were found within a 20 km radius, suggesting that this species has a very limited distribution. According to the scientists, due to its restricted range, this species may be quite rare, complicating conservation efforts.
To date, researchers have identified a total of 11 spider species belonging to the genus Trichopelma in Cuba. They differ from other spider species in several ways, such as having more hairs, being larger, and possessing two book lungs.
