Australian researchers discovered about world’s oldest spider, which was about 43-year-old.The research says Giaus Villosus trapdoor matriarch, who recently died during a long-term population study, was 28-year-old had outlived the previous world record holder.
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Lead author PhD student Leanda Mason said that he is researching about the longevity of the trapdoor spider. “To our knowledge, this is the oldest spider ever recorded, and her significant life has allowed us to further investigate the trapdoor spider’s behaviour and population dynamics,” Ms Mason said.
“The research project was first initiated by Barbara York Main in 1974, who monitored the long-term spider population for over 42 years in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. “Through Barbara’s detailed research, we were able to determine that the extensive lifespan of the trapdoor spider is due to their life-history traits, including how they live in uncleared, native bushland, their sedentary nature and low metabolisms.”
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“These spiders exemplify an approach to life in ancient landscapes, and through our ongoing research we will be able to determine how the future stresses of climate change and deforestation will potentially impact the species,” Associate Professor Wardell-Johnson said.