Largest Fossil Spider Found in Volcanic Ash
The spider, named Nephila jurassica, was discovered buried in ancient volcanic ash in Inner Mongolia, China.
Tufts of hairlike fibers seen on its legs showed this 165-million-year-old arachnid to be the oldest known species of the largest web-weaving spiders alive today the golden orb-weavers,
or Nephila, which are big enough to catch birds and bats, and use silk that shines like gold in the sunlight.
The fossil was about as large as its modern relatives, with a body one inch (2.5 centimeters) wide and legs that reach up to 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) long.
Golden orb-weavers nowadays are mainly tropical creatures,
so the ancient environment of Nephila jurassica probably was similarly lush. [Image of fossil spider]
Tufts of hairlike fibers seen on its legs showed this 165-million-year-old arachnid to be the oldest known species of the largest web-weaving spiders alive today the golden orb-weavers,
or Nephila, which are big enough to catch birds and bats, and use silk that shines like gold in the sunlight.
The fossil was about as large as its modern relatives, with a body one inch (2.5 centimeters) wide and legs that reach up to 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) long.
Golden orb-weavers nowadays are mainly tropical creatures,
so the ancient environment of Nephila jurassica probably was similarly lush. [Image of fossil spider]
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