Exquisite trapdoors
- Kevin Thiele
- Apr 9, 2019
- 1 min read
Five new species of trapdoor spider in the genus Euoplos have been discovered in south-eastern Queensland and described in a paper by Jeremy Wilson (Griffith University) and colleagues.
Jeremy has also written a simply wonderful article, with stunning photographs, in The Conversation. The trapdoors on the burrows of some of these species are simply exquisite - read the article if only for the pictures.
Trapdoors are mygalomorph spiders, along with the mouse spiders, whistling spiders and funnelwebs. There are over 500 named species of mygalomorph spiders in Australia, with many more still to be described.
Because of their biology, many, including the five new ones described here, are short-range endemics. This both increases the chances that new species await discovery, and makes their documentation more important, because many short-range endemic mygalomorphs are rare and vulnerable to extinction.
Really enjoyed reading this post — the way you described the discovery of those new trapdoor spiders was fascinating, and the photos truly brought the story to life. It’s amazing how much biodiversity remains hidden, and your clear explanation really helps readers appreciate that. I recently came across a similar discussion in an https://www.inspereza.com/ review blog, and it offered a different but equally compelling take on the importance of documenting species before they disappear. Keep up the great work — these stories deserve more attention!
Really enjoyed reading this post — the way you described the discovery of those new trapdoor‑spider species was so clear and fascinating. I especially appreciated how you explained why documenting biodiversity matters for our planet. I recently came across a similar discussion on a https://www.rosedalewellness.com/ blog, and it offered an interesting perspective on the importance of awareness and documentation. Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece — looking forward to more.