Sri Lankan researchers believe they have discovered endemic spider

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lankan researchers believe they have discovered a new species of a spider that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The Ivory Bird-eating Tiger Spider spider, which is nocturnal, had been discovered at a house at the end of the Gannoruwa forest, following heavy rains in the area. "We can find this species in Sri Lanka's Central Region and this is endangered," Shiromi Samarawickrama, a researcher said adding that it can be found in the country's central region. "They eat small birds, rats, frogs and insects," she said. "These are hunting spiders." The researcher, however, noted that the spider faces threats such as the international pet trade as well as the loss of habitat. At the International Wildlife Conservation Convention 2019, the spider was designated as a species to be conserved.