the video is apparently the same species, how ever it was posted on youtube 1 1/2 years before the official discovery of this spider species, so i'm not sure if it's just another species that looks similar?
ScienceDaily (Jan. 11, 2010) — A new and previously unknown species of spider has been discovered in the dune of the Sands of Samar in the southern Arava region of Israel by a team of scientists from the Department of Biology in the University of Haifa-Oranim. Unfortunately, however, its habitat is endangered.
"The discovery of this new spider illustrates our obligation to preserve the dune," says Dr. Shanas, who headed the team of scientists.
The Sands of Samar are the last remaining sand dune in Israeli territory in the southern Arava region. In the past, the sands stretched across some 7 square kilometers, but due to the rezoning of areas for agriculture and sand quarries, the sands have been reduced to fewer than 3 square kilometers.
During a course of studies that Dr. Shanas's research team has carried out in the region, they discovered this new spider, a member of the Cerbalus genus. Since it has been found in the Arava, it has been given the name Cerbalus aravensis.
The researchers say that this spider's leg-span can reach up to 14 cm., which makes it the largest spider of its type in the Middle East. Even though details are still lacking to enable a full analysis of its biology and of its population in the sands, the scientists know that this is a nocturnal spider, mostly active in the hottest months of the year, and that it constructs an underground den which is closed with a "lifting door" made of sand particles that are glued together to camouflage the den.
The scientists' excitement is indeed mixed with apprehension. According to Dr. Shanas, the Israel Land Administration intends to renew mining projects in the Sands of Samar in the near future, which will endanger the existence of the newly discovered spider. He adds that it is possible that there are additional unknown animal species living in the sands, and therefore efforts should be made to preserve this unique region in the Arava.
"The new discovery shows how much we still have to investigate, and that there are likely to be many more species that are unknown to us. If we do not preserve the few habitats that remain for these species, they will become extinct before we can even discover them," Dr. Shanas concludes.
Source :
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0111102534.htm
i did discover this though.
Discussione:
Autore Discussione: Amir
Oggetto: Cerbalus sp - info needed
Inserito il: 05 febbraio 2008 15:31:01
Messaggio:
ciao
I collecting info regarding the Cerbalus sp. (Sparassidae)
In Israel we have 3-4 species some are endimic
Unfortunately no one yet have made any filed work about this genus.
all specimens collected and used for ID came from pitfalls.
Cerbalus are mostly unique to sandy habitats or similar in the desert
Those habitats suffer from high demand for agricultures developing or even nonlegal send mining.
Also we know about spiders treading in EU an US markets, (most from Sinai Egypt).
I have opportunity to make some public relation for those problems in local news paper but I need to build a story (that what NP like)
There almost no info (ecology and biology) in the web about Cerbalus although we may assume its similar to the Leucorchestris arenicola from Namib desert in Africa. I also understand that in EU the is one or two Cerbalus sp. but I did not find farther info
So I reply to any of u if u have any info or source about Cerbalus spiders
Nature conversation is start from the amateurs. the nature authorities in Israel too slow and have deferent priorities.
the best way to push then is to make noise in the written and electronic media
Saving spices starting by save the habitats
Attach Cerbalus cf aravaensis Levy, 2007
I photo a week ago in captivity
