Scientists Discover New Miniature Spiders in China
Posted on May 22, 2013
Scientists have discovered two new species of miniature spiders in Sichuan and Chongqing, China. The tiny spiders are both less than 2 mm in length. Trogloneta yuensis is as little as 1.01 mm. Mysmena wawuensis (pictured above) was measured at just 0.75 mm. It is among the smallest spiders known on Earth. The two species both have a bizarre body shape with a disproportionately big spherical posterior body.
The two new species found in China are considered endemic to their type localities in the Sichuan and Chongqing. The region of Wawu Mt. National Forest Park - where Mysmena wawuensis was discovered - is also home to a small population of wild giant panda of about 10 individuals.
The research was published here in Zookeys.
