In Depth Eoplectreurys was (and at the time of writing still is) at the time of its description to be the oldest known Haplogynae spider, the genus going back as least as far as the mid Jurassic, while previous examples were only known as far back as the early Cretaceous. This group of spiders is … Read more
In Depth Electrocteniza is a genus of trapdoor spider that lived in North East Europe during the Eocene. Like other trapdoor spiders, Electrocteniza would have either lined an existing crevice with silk or dug out a burrow in soft dirt, and then sealed this area with a hinged door. When insects came close to the … Read more
In Depth Mongolarachne was originally described in 2011 as Nephila jurassica, a prehistoric species of the Nephila genus of orb weaving spiders that we know today. Nephila jurassica made headlines at the time because it was the largest known spider in the fossil record, though comparable in size to modern golden orb weaver spiders that … Read more
In Depth Palaeoperenethis is genus of nursery web spider that lived in Canada during the Eocene. Nursery web spiders are so named as most members of this group only spin a web to protect their eggs just before they are about to hatch. For the rest of their lives these spiders stalk through vegetation, ambushing … Read more
In Depth Uintascorpio is a genus of scorpion that lived in the state of Colorado during the mid-Eocene. When first described, Uintascorpio was considered to be a member of the Vaejovidae scorpions, but this has not gained popular acceptance. At the time of writing the most recent analysis of Uintascorpio is that it is a … Read more
In Depth Arthrolycosa is an example of one of the earliest spiders, and like its name sake the Lycosa genus, Arthrolycosa would have hunted on the ground. Web spinning would not be a development until much later which means that Arthrolycosa would have probably lurked near cover while waiting for prey to pass by. When … Read more
In Depth Baltocteniza is a genus of trapdoor spider known to have lived in what is now North east Europe during the Eocene. Trapdoor spiders are famous either for digging out burrows or lining existing crevices in rocks and trees with silk and then covering the end with a hinged ‘trapdoor’ made out of dirt, … Read more
In Depth Like the giant Meganeura, Pulmonoscorpius is thought to have achieved its large size from the higher oxygen content of the air of the Carboniferous period. The superficial morphology of Pulmonoscorpius is that of a larger version to today’s scorpions, although its proportionally larger eyes have led to the suggestion that it may have … Read more