Phil's weird and wonderful spiders

28/09/2018

Thirty-seven new spider species discovered in Queensland

The thought of 37 new spider species might send shivers down most people's spines, but for spider enthusiasts and scientists, the discovery is an exciting one.

20/07/2018

Peacock spider man discovers dazzling new species while searching for the 'Hokey Pokey'

How a broken-down rental car helped Jurgen Otto rediscover a spider first spotted 23 years ago.

08/05/2018

How a spider jumps on its prey - science has the answer

Scientists hope to learn how to build tiny jumping robots - by studying an extraordinary spider.

12/11/2017

The tricky business of defining new species

http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-11-12/the-tricky-business-of-defining-new-species/9127306http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-11-12/the-tricky-business-of-defining-new-species/9127306

This subject has intrigued me for years in my study of the Arckys (formerly Archemorus genus)

I have studied the species Arkys altecephela all contained in the same area of bush yet very different in colour and body texture.

Some examples below

What gives an animal the uniqueness required to be classified as its own species?

23/04/2017

Just In: Why do spiders gather on the Kings Ave and Commonwealth Ave bridges in Canberra?
http://ab.co/2oiQQDL

Every year hundreds of spiders spin their webs on two prominent Canberra bridges.

13/04/2017

Great to see some work in documenting new spider species

Just In: Spider photographer documents discovery of 56 new species
http://ab.co/2nHviAC

Getting up close with a huntsman the size of a small dinner plate and a scuba-diving tarantula — it's all in a day's work for citizen scientist Robert Whyte.

22/01/2017

This is not a spider obviously but an Insect i have never seen before. long front antennae and cricket like legs.

anyone able to identify it ?

22/01/2017

These Spiders capture their prey with their front two pairs of legs and are active hunters and don't rely on camouflage (like Arkys sp.). Can be seen in local gardens as well as in forest areas where there is lush broad leaved vegetation

03/01/2017

revisit site to improve photos