15 new species of smiley-faced spiders are named after 'climate change heroes', including Bernie Sanders and Leonardo DiCaprio

  • Until now, it was thought that there was just one species of smiley face spider
  • But a genetic analysis has revealed that there is 15 distinct species
  • Researchers involved each named some of the new species
  • Names include Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders and Leonardo DiCaprio 

While you might expect to see Leonardo DiCaprio in Hollywood, you'll now be able to find a second Leo on a Caribbean island – in the form of a spider.

Scientists have discovered 15 new species of 'smiley-faced' spiders, and named them after people who have stood up for human rights and climate change.

The names being honoured include David Attenborough, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

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Pictured is the S.berniesandersi species
Bernie Sanders, senator of Vermont, was one of the names honoured

Scientists have discovered 15 new species of 'smiley-faced' spiders, and named them after people who have stood up for human rights and climate change, including Bernie Sanders

SMILEY FACE SPIDERS 

Until now, there was only thought to be one widespread species of smiley-faced spider – named for a smiley face pattern on its abdomen – ranging from North America down to northern Brazil.

But researchers have now examined spiders from Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, Florida, South Carolina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia, and discovered that one widespread species was actually many endemic species.

Through genetic studies, the researchers have now formally identified 15 new species.

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Researchers from the University of Vermont named the spiders as part of an undergraduate research project.

Professor Ingi Agnarsson, who led the study, said: 'In naming these spiders, the students and I wanted to honour people who stood up for both human rights and warned about climate change - leaders and artists who promoted sensible approaches for a better world.'

Until now, there was only thought to be one widespread species of smiley-faced spider – named for a smiley face pattern on its abdomen – ranging from North America down to northern Brazil.

But researchers have now examined spiders from Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, Florida, South Carolina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia, and discovered that one widespread species was actually many endemic species.

Through genetic studies, the researchers have now formally identified 15 new species.

Professor Agnarsson said: 'And if we keep looking, we're sure there are more.'

Each student involved in the project was allowed to name a few of the species, but together they decided to name one Bernie Sanders - who is senator of Vermont. 

Pictured is the Spintharus.davidbowiei species, named after the late musician, David Bowie, who was known for his humanitarian work 

Pictured is the Spintharus.davidbowiei species, named after the late musician, David Bowie, who was known for his humanitarian work 

Sir David Attenborough is pictured
A female Spintharus.davidattenboroughi is pictured

The discovery of the 15 species changes thoughts about consveration dramatically, according to Professor Agnarsson. Pictured is Sir David Attenborough, and the spider named after him

Ms Lily Sargeant, one of the students who worked on the project said: 'We all have tremendous respect for Bernie. He presents a feeling of hope.'

'Our time on this earth is limited. But I think that ideas are not that way.

'It is my hope that through naming that spider after Bernie we can remember the ideas that he has at this pivotal point in the life of our nation.'

Actor, Leonardo DiCaprio is pictured
A male Spintharus.leonardodicaprioi

Ms Chloe Van Patten, another student who worked on the study, named her species after her high school 'obsession', Leonardo DiCaprio

WHO ARE THEY NAMED AFTER? 

- David Attenborough

- Barack Obama

- Michelle Obama

- Leonardo DiCaprio

- Bernie Sanders

- David Bowie 

- Betty and Ray Rall (grandparents of the first author)

- Man Ray (relative of the first author)

- Greer (sister of the first author) 

- Frost (a close friend of the first author)

- Skelly (the cat of the first author)

- Giraldo Alayón García

- Dayle (sister of the first author)

- Goodbread (grandmother of the first author)

- Jesse Lauer (friend of the first author)

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Ms Chloe Van Patten, another student who worked on the study, named her species after her high school 'obsession', Leonardo DiCaprio.

Ms Van Patten said: 'I'm over my crush, but now that he's involved in environmental issues, I love him even more.

'So I named a spider after him hoping that if he read our study he might go out to dinner with me and talk about climate change.

The discovery of the 15 species changes thoughts about consveration dramatically, according to Professor Agnarsson.

He said: 'All the sudden we have fifteen-fold increase in diversity in this particular group - just because we did a detailed study.

'That tells us something about biodiversity in general. The more we look, the more we discover.' 

Ms Lily Sargeant (pictured), one of the students who worked on the project said: 'We all have tremendous respect for Bernie. He presents a feeling of hope' 

Ms Lily Sargeant (pictured), one of the students who worked on the project said: 'We all have tremendous respect for Bernie. He presents a feeling of hope' 

Previous studies have suggested that there was just one species of smiley-faced spider. But this new family tree, which was created following genetic studies, shows that there is at least 15 species 

Previous studies have suggested that there was just one species of smiley-faced spider. But this new family tree, which was created following genetic studies, shows that there is at least 15 species 

 

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