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A species of spiders have been discovered in the sand dunes of the Sands in the southern part of Samar arava israel region, scientists from the biology department at the University of Haifa-Oranim this weekend.
With a range up to 5.5 feet inches (14 cm), the spider's new is the largest of its kind in the Middle East, the scientists said.

Habitat is threatened. "It could be that there are other species that are not known [the mound] to be extinct before we could find them," said Uri Shanas from the University of Haifa, is heading in the research area.

"These new findings illustrate the spider our obligation to preserve the dunes," said Shanas.

Blend in the Sands is the last remaining sand dunes in the area in southern Israel arava region, the university said. In the past, the sand stretches about three square miles (seven kilometers square), but due to rezoning of agricultural areas and mining of sand, the sand has been reduced to less than half that.

The spider is a member of the genus Cerbalus. Since found in arava, was given the name Cerbalus aravensis.


"Although the details still lacking to enable a complete analysis of the biology and the population in the sand, scientists know that this is the night of spiders, most active in the hottest months of the year, and it built a basement covered with a 'lifted the door' made of sand particles that cling together to camouflage the den, "the university explained.

Israel Land Administration intend to renew mining projects in the Sands of Samar in the near future, which would endanger the existence of newly discovered spiders, Shanas said.

It is possible that there are additional unknown species of animals that live in the sand, and therefore efforts should be made to preserve this unique area in arava, the researchers added.

"These new findings show how much we still have to investigate, and that there may be many more species that we do not know. If we do not maintain a permanent habitat for this species, they will become extinct before we can even find them," said Shanas.

source : www.kaskus.us