A new Tasmanian wolf spider species has been discovered by a museum collections officer during a recent research mission in the state’s North.
QVMAG’s Simon Fearn found the new spider species while light-trapping for moths and insects near George Town last summer.
Hunting around with a head torch on, he noticed the shine of spider eyes glittering on the ground beneath him.
On closer inspection, Fearn realised those shining eyes belonged to a species of wolf spider he was not familiar with.
He contacted QVMAG Spider Honorary Research Associate John Douglas and Western Australian wolf spider expert Dr Volker Framenau, who confirmed the spider was an ‘undescribed species’.
The spider is now named ‘venator judyrainbirdae’ in honour of Judy Rainbird, who has worked at QVMAG for 45 years.
“It’s a very fitting and important honour for someone involved in natural science, and Judy deserves it,” Fearn said.
“The amazing state of the collections reflects her stewardship over the past four decades, and this was a great way to acknowledge her significant contributions.”
General Manager of Creative Arts & Cultural Services Shane Fitzgerald said it was a delight to support the process in honour of Judy’s work at QVMAG.
“Forty-five years is an incredible length of time to work within a collection, making this a fitting celebration of Judy’s contribution to our Natural Sciences team,” Fitzgerald said.
“I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge how proud we all are of her work within the QVMAG collection.”
