Pretty, Newly-Discovered Spider Is Likened To Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ Painting
Images via Shutterstock and Shutterstock
Mother Nature’s artistic touch is here to brighten up the world during this time of uncertainty. According to Melbourne Museum arachnologist Joseph Schubert, seven new species of the colorful peacock spider have been discovered, and one even looks like Vincent van Gogh’s famed Starry Night painting.
Schubert tweeted that he had traveled around Australia last year to collect specimens of the seven species, some of which were uncovered by citizen scientists. “Some welcome news in tough times,” he wrote.
The spiders are named Maratus azureus, Maratus constellatus, Maratus inaquosus, Maratus laurenae, Maratus noggerup, Maratus suae and Maratus volpei. The second spider, as you might have guessed, resembles the night sky depicted in the Van Gogh masterpiece.
The constellation-like pattern appears on the arachnid’s abdomen, “hence the name constellatus, which means starry in Latin,” Schubert explained in a video.
Peacock spiders are difficult to spot as they’re especially tiny, measuring between just 0.05 inches and ⅓-inch. There are now 86 known species of peacock spiders, including these seven.
They also look like brown spiders at first, and their vivid hues only become apparent when observed under a macro lens or microscope. According to CNET, some of the spiders’ abdomens were found to showcase images of elephants, skulls, arrows and other spiders.
Here’s to more art being uncovered out in nature. “I certainly think there are more [peacock spiders] to be found,” said the Australian arachnologist.
Meet Australia’s 7 newest species!
— Joseph Schubert (@j_schubert__) March 26, 2020
Last year I travelled the country collecting specimens of these new peacock spiders (some discovered by citizen scientists!) and spent countless hours in the lab studying them. The paper was published today!
Some welcome news in tough times. pic.twitter.com/sV1gURLqAi
Tiny newly discovered spider looks like Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night - CNET pic.twitter.com/d1A4ZAybhj
— Tapase Technical (@TapaseTechnical) March 28, 2020
[via CNET, images via various sources]
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