Amazing discovery in Oregon

[BarelyBreathing]

Not only is this a new SPECIES, it's also a new FAMILY ORDER.

Hook-legged spider found in Oregon cave - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/rare-discovery-hook-legged-spider-found-oregon-cave-211926504.html)

[marvelfreak]

Very cool.

[Jay]

Indeed....

[Pareeeee]

Woah cool! :D

[DragonsEye]

Handsome lad there (definitely looks to be male). How cool and how eloquent a reminder that unique organisms still remain to be discovered even in our own "backyard".

[JustBitten]

Handsome lad there (definitely looks to be male). How cool and how eloquent a reminder that unique organisms still remain to be discovered even in our own "backyard".

Exactly! I don't buy it when people claim that an area of science or knowledge is settled or fully known. How many times have we claimed that throughout history and been proven completely wrong? We have so much to learn and this is a fabulous reminder to keep our eyes and minds open :)

[jaleely]

That's awesome. Two rows of teeth! Crazy. I wonder if they mean the the large fangs. I'd like to see an underside photo and a close up.
It's pretty cool. Wouldn't want to come across it on accident, that would make me flip out. I like mine calm and in their cages *LOL*

[DragonsEye]

That's awesome. Two rows of teeth! Crazy. I wonder if they mean the the large fangs. I'd like to see an underside photo and a close up.
It's pretty cool. Wouldn't want to come across it on accident, that would make me flip out. I like mine calm and in their cages *LOL*

The fangs are not actually visible in that picture, Melissa. If you are referring to the large, tan-colored, rounded structures extended in front of the head, those appear to be the distal ends of a fully mature male spider's pedipalps. They are used in reproduction for transfer of the male's sperm to the female.

The two rows of "teeth" referred to in the article are found on the spider's serrula. This is a toothed keel or ridge located on the section of the pedipalps next to the spider's mouth (that particular pedipalp section is known as an endite). The purpose of these keels is to help the spider crush the prey. It's not really chewing as we would general consider it as we chew then swallow the masticated solids and liquids. Spiders do not ingest solids rather living on a liquid diet. As a spider feeds, it regurgitates (spits up/vomits etc) digestive enzymes to help break down and liquify the soft tissues of the insect on which it is feeding. The resulting "soup" is then sucked up.

Now that I have told you more than you likely ever wanted to know, I'll shut up. ;)

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Real awesome

[jaleely]

: ) Thanks DE! It's good to clarify for those who will look and won't know.

I'm sure we'll be able to see more photos later that give us close ups and stuff.
I can only assume they are the pedipalps as well, but it would be interesting to know for sure. Such a weird size and shape for those to be. Weird spidy!

[Rogue628]

Cool! :D

Scary looking little bugger though. lol

[Kaetlinv]

I live in southern washington...missed that one closely >.>