The 100-million-year-old fossil revealed a new spider with fangs, eight legs and especially a long tail like a scorpion.
Scientists from the University of Kansas, USA yesterday announced the discovery of fossils of an unknown species of spider, with a long tail like a scorpion. The nearly intact 100 million year old fossil was found in amber in Myanmar, according to USA Today.
The Chimerachne yingi spider has a very small size, with a length of only 0.5cm including the tail.
The newly discovered spiders have the scientific name Chimerachne yingi , named after the Greek mythology Chimera, a hybrid creature with parts from many different animal species. The study was published in the British journal Nature Ecology & Evolution (Yesterday).
The Chimerachne yingi spider has a very small size, with a length of only 0.5cm including the tail. They have quite similar bodies to the current spiders, with 8 legs and fast teeth, but possess a long tail like a scorpion.
Based on where fossils were discovered, scientists had speculations about their habitats."This tiny creature is most likely a spider living in the tree because its fossils are found in a layer of amber (fossil resin), which can nest under bark or inside. layers of moss grow under the tree, " said Dr. Paul Selden of the University of Kansas.
