Newly-discovered spider named Brian rides waves to hunt prey
The World Science Festival kicked off in Brisbane Wednesday with a uniquely Australian touch. Sitting centre stage at the opening was "Brian," a young male spider from a newly discovered species, the dolomedes briangreenei.
The species was named in honour of renowned string theorist and World Science Festival cofounder, Professor Brian Greene.
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The dolomedes briangreenei is endemic to fresh water streams around Brisbane and uses vibrations -- or waves -- on the surface of the water to hunt its prey.
"These spiders sit there on the water and then all of a sudden an insect will hit the water and the spider races out to get it, grabs it, dives under the water and then swims back to the shore and starts eating it," Robert Raven, Principal Scientist of Arachnology at the Queensland Museum, told Mashable Australia.
The spider can sit under water for up to an hour and can kill and eat insects, fish and even cane toads at least three times its size. But apparently (and thankfully) they’re not dangerous to humans. "I've been bitten by this spider and it’s not particularly dangerous," Raven said, "It just stung for a little while."
Greene was quick to bond with his namesake. "Physics is all about waves; understanding the universe is all about waves," Greene said. “With the announcement last month of humankind’s first detection of gravitational waves -- ripples on the surface of space and time -- I am particularly honored to be so closely associated with a spider that has its own deep affinity for waves."
Talking to press Wednesday morning with little Brian in a fish bowl by his side, Greene was excited about launching the festival in the southern hemisphere.
"The goal [of the festival is] quite simple; to create a new experience of science … to have a place where young and old, novice and experienced can come in and experience science in a way that feels compelling and dramatic -- not intimidating -- and utterly inspiring," Greene said.
The World Science Festival brings together some of the worlds greatest scientific minds, including astronaut Andy Thomas, marine biologist and National Geographic explorer-in-residence Sylvia Earle, Australia’s Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and patron of science and M*A*S*H mastermind, Alan Alda. The festival started in 2008 and the Brisbane event is the first time the annual celebration has been held outside its birth place in New York City.
As for Brian (the spider), he’ll soon be on permanent display at the Queensland Museum.
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