2023-09-15 11:25:17
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An expedition through multiple Australian territories, including Tasmania, has left its mark on history for the discovery of a new species of spider which, in addition, would be part of a genus of arachnid that had not yet been discovered.
This means, therefore, that scientists have had to find a name suitable not only for this new genus of invertebrates, but also for the only species it currently includes.
The most curious thing regarding the case is perhaps the choice made: Venomius tomhardyiinspired by the famous Marvel character and the actor who has played him in the latest films.
The expedition is part of a large study carried out by experts from Murdoch Universityin the city of Perth, which aims to document and catalog all the arachnid fauna of Australiaa country that constantly works on the conservation of its biodiversity.
Several samples of this new species have been collected specifically throughout southern Australia, from Tasmania to the country’s western territory.
THE REASON for this PECULIAR choice
In fact Venom is not a spider. That is why it is interesting that Tom Hardy and Venom have been particularly honored when naming this new species. Even so, it is undeniable that the character has some indirect connection with arachnids.
Born in 1984 in a crossover of the Marvel universe comics, this antihero is actually a symbiote, defined as a fictional species of alien with the ability to create symbiotic bonds with the body and mind of a host, influencing its behavior.
Long before he had his own movies, Venom has made the leap from comics to animation, video games, and much more. Originally, however, it was a strange black mass that adhered to Spiderman’s suit and tried to take his body as a host.
After being defeated by Spider-Man, Venom cultivates an eternal hatred towards his hosts that will characterize his future, until reaching the famous and most recent films starring Tom Hardy.
However, this link is not the reason why this name has been chosen for the new arachnid species discovered in Tasmania. This would be the real reason: the discovered species has a large black abdomen with some particular light colored spotswhich reminded scientists of Venom’s head and, specifically, the shape of his eyes.
What is the new species like?
The new genus belongs to the Araneidae Clerck family, the third largest family of arachnids in Australia, characterized by build circular networks in vertical format. During the day they usually take refuge in holes within the branches of trees, which they cover with silky material.
Venomius tomhardyi it’s a spider medium size and elongated shape, with a relatively large abdomen. It has been found that males are usually smaller than females.
The central part of its body is orange-brown, while the extremities, head and abdomen are darker, verging on black, and there may be a small variation in tone between males and females. Furthermore, the abdomen does not present tubercles and has a distinctive light beige spot extended in the form of lines.
The eyes are slightly protuberant and distributed transversely. At the bottom of the head it has several small fangs.
ANIMAL SPECIES WITH CELEBRITY NAMES
Venomius tomhardyi It is not a unique case in terms of peculiar names it means. There is, in fact, a considerable list of living beings named following actors, singers and even writers.
The most recent discovery was that of a snake named Tachymenoides harrisonfordi in the Otishi National Park, in Peru. Furthermore, Harrison Ford has inspired name other species of animals: a Californian spider (Calponia harrisonfordi), and also an ant (Pheidole harrisonfordi).
Some previous cases of famous people who have inspired the name of another species son:
Leonardo DiCaprio y Uvariopsis dicaprioa tree from the Ebo Forest, Cameroon.Taylor Swift and Nannaria swiftae, a millipede discovered by scientist Derek Hennen. JRR Tolkien and Hyloscirtus to Tolkienan Ecuadorian frog with fantastic characteristics.
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