New Spider Species Discovered By San Diego State University Biologist

Biologists at San Diego State University (SDSU) have discovered a new spider species with ancestors that date back to dinosaurs. According to KGTV, biologist Marshal Hedin found the spiders in the Sequoia National Forest, about 80 miles northeast of Bakersfield.

The orange and black spiders are called Hypochilus xomote and researchers say their bodies are smaller than pencil erasers. In order to find the distinction between these spiders and others, researchers had to use a scanning electron microscope to find their key differences.

SDSU said the last time biologists discovered a new species in this genus was close to 30 years ago in 1994. According to National Geographic, there are over 45,000 known species of spiders living in habitats all over the globe.