ATHENS: Scientists have discovered a giant spider web spanning about half the size of a tennis court and with some 111,000 spiders in a cave on the border between Greece and Albania.
The web in the “Sulfur Cave” in the Vromoner Gorge covers some 106 square meters (1,140 square feet), according to the study in the publication Subterranean Biology.
In it are some 69,000 domestic house spiders (Tegenaria domestica), in addition to over 42,000 of Prinerigone vagans dwarf weavers (Linyphiidae), the study said.
The researchers from universities and natural history museums in Albania, Romania, Belgium, Germany and Italy called the discovery “the first documented case of colonial web formation” of two species that are normally solitary.
Based on its spatial distribution and dimensions, species composition and population density, in addition to the food resources, the spider colony is unique and remarkable, they said.
This is “the first documented case of colonial web formation in these species,” the experts said, adding that the structure is formed “of numerous individual funnel-shaped webs.”
The cave, so called because of its abundance of the chemical, completely straddles the border — its entrance is in Greece, while the deepest sections are under Albanian soil.
Springs located in the deep recesses of the cave feed a sulfidic stream which flows through the entire length of the main cave passage, the study said.
The spiders share the cave with numerous other insects, including centipedes, scorpions and beetles.
The discovery was first reported by members of the Czech Speleological Society, the study said.
Giant spider web found in Greek-Albanian border cave: study
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Giant spider web found in Greek-Albanian border cave: study
- This is “the first documented case of colonial web formation in these species,” the experts said, adding that the structure is formed “of numerous individual funnel-shaped webs”
Australia rejects report it is repatriating families of Daesh militants from Syrian camp
- The return of relatives of suspected Daesh militants is a political issue in Australia, which has seen a surge in popularity of the right-wing
Australia’s center-left government on Sunday rejected a local media report that said it was working to repatriate Australians in a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Daesh militants. The 34 women and children were released on Monday from the camp in northern Syria, but returned to the detention center due to technical reasons. The group is expected to travel to Damascus before eventually returning to Australia, despite objections from ruling and opposition lawmakers.
On Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke rejected claims made in a report in the Sunday Telegraph, asserting that official preparations were under way for the cohort’s return.
“In that report, it makes a claim that we are conducting a repatriation. We are not,” Burke told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television.
“It claims we have been meeting with the states for the purposes of a repatriation. We have not,” Burke added. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who leads Australia’s Labour Party, said this week his government would not help the group return to Australia.
The return of relatives of suspected Daesh militants is a political issue in Australia, which has seen a surge in popularity of the right-wing, anti-immigration One Nation party led by Pauline Hanson.
Daesh, the Sunni Muslim militant group, is listed as a terrorist organization in Australia, with membership of the group punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Australia also has the power to strip dual nationals of citizenship if they are a Daesh member.
