Australian spider is named after Marvel character (and it’s not Peter Parker)

Scientists from Murdoch University in Australia, in collaboration with researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, recently described a new species of spider Australian.

The peculiarity of this story is that they decided to name it in an unusual and heroic way: Venomius tomhardyia tribute to actor Tom Hardy, famous for playing Eddie Brock and his alter ego, Venom, in the films Marvel.

A unique species: Venomius tomhardyi

The newly discovered spider belongs to the genus Venomiuswhich is notable for being monospecific, that is, composed of just one species: Venomius tomhardyi. This specimen of web-weaving spider was identified during an expedition that covered several regions of Australia, including Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

Image: Rossi/Reproduction

The choice of the name “Venomius” is due to the black spots on the spider’s abdomen, which resemble the iconic head of the character from the film.”Venom“.

Furthermore, scientists were intrigued by the unique behavior of this spider, which builds silk-lined holes in tree branches for shelter, a distinctive feature that sets the genus apart. Venomius from other similar spiders, such as those from the family Phonognatha.

A tribute to Venom and a breakthrough in the exploration of Australian biodiversity

Pedro Castanheira, a researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro involved in the study, explained that this discovery is part of an ongoing effort to document the diversity of spiders in Australia.

This work is fundamental to biodiversity conservation efforts and contributes to the study of taxonomy and biosystematics in Australia and Europe. New Zealand.

Giulia Rossi, the study’s first author, also emphasized the importance of the continued discovery and description of new spider species to assess the biodiversity of these predators in Australia.

Although the new species Venomius tomhardyi isn’t a Marvel superhero yet, his name pays special homage to one of the company’s most iconic characters.

The research carried out by the team and published in the journal Evolutionary Systematics highlights the incredible diversity of wildlife that awaits exploration and understanding in our world, demonstrating how science can draw inspiration from Science fiction.