New spider species the size of a softball found in Baja California Sur, Mexico
Researchers have identified a new species of large cave spider in the Sierra Cacachilas mountain range of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during a series of expeditions to explore and catalog the flora and fauna of the remote region. Named Califorctenus cacachilensis, the spider has a body approximately the size of a softball. “In all my experience over the years collecting spiders on the peninsula, I had never seen a spider this large,” said Maria Jimenez, a researcher at Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste who was part of the team to discover the species. It is rare to discover a species this large, the team said. They believe the spider is unique to certain areas of the Baja Peninsula. The researchers found approximately two dozen specimens in remote caves and other secluded locations and brought back eight specimens. The discovery highlights the biodiversity of the Baja California region and contributes to the broader understanding of arachnid diversity. It also emphasizes the need for continued exploration and conservation in under-studied ecosystems.
