Spider fossil from 215 million years ago found in Friuli
Specimen fourth of its kind ever discovered
24 January, 16:21
(ANSA) - Udine, January 24 - Scientists in the northern
Italian region of Friuli have discovered a species of spider
dating back to 215 million years ago.The specimen was found in a stretch of the Alps known for a wealth of prehistoric fossils and is from the Triassic Period that lasted over 50 million years, from 252 million to 201 million years ago.
The find brings the number of known Triassic spider species to four - the other three were discovered in France, Virginia USA and South Africa.
Scientists say the specimen is a distant cousin of the present-day tarantula.
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