Scientists Discover New Spider Species in Australia with Abdomen Patterns Resembling Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night'
According to a report by The Sun on April 1, Australian scientists discovered a new species of peacock spider, whose abdomen is naturally adorned with vibrant and artistic patterns, strikingly similar to Vincent van Gogh's world-renowned painting 'The Starry Night.' Scientists named it 'Maratus constellatus' (Starry Night Peacock Spider).
Victorian Museum arachnologist Joseph Schubert discovered this spider in Australia. Prior to this, he had discovered six other peacock spiders. They all share the common trait of having colorful patterns on their abdomens behind. This discovery of the spider has an abdomen with blue, white and yellow patterns, which looks like a copy of Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' at first sight, so Joseph decided to name it 'constellatus' (from the Latin word for 'constellation') to name this new spider species. Joseph said on Twitter last week: 'Last year, I collected these new peacock spiders specimens across the country and spent countless hours studying them.' 'This discovery is a morale booster in this difficult period.'
This 22-year-old young scientist has been studying peacock spiders for several years. He told reporters that peacock spiders are one of the smallest spider species, harmless to humans. Besides 'Starry Night Peacock Spider' which is similar to 'The Starry Night,' Joseph has previously discovered and named other six peacock spiders, which are: Maratus azureus (Oris coin peacock spider), Maratus laurenae (Lauren peacock spider), Maratus noggerup (Noggerup peacock spider), Maratus suat (Suat peacock spider), Maratus volpei (Folpe peacock spider) and Maratus inaquosus (August peacock spider). These six spiders were all discovered and found in the western part of Australia, while this 'Starry Night Peacock Spider' was discovered in Kalbarri, about seven hours' drive north of Perth.
Joseph said that the 'Starry Night Peacock Spider' is one of his 'favorite spider species.'
Peacock spiders have become popular on the internet in recent years, often called 'spider influencers.' Not only because they have colorful patterns that come naturally, but also because of their unique courtship behavior. During courtship, male peacock spiders will swing their abdomens and dance 'sexy belly dances,' and their colorful patterns will sway with the dance to attract the attention of their partners.
