Fossils Very creepy crawlies: 'proto-spiders' with long tails discovered in amber Fossil hunters find preserved remains of 100-million-year-old arachnids with tails longer than their bodies Scientists say the spiders were a missing link between the even more ancient uraraneids and primitive living spiders. Illustration: Bo Wang / Chinese Academy of SciencesIn what can safely be assumed to be horrifying news for arachnophobes around the world, scientists have discovered the beautifully-preserved remains of prehistoric “proto-spiders” that sported tails longer than their bodies. The ancient arachnid may have used its tail for sensing predators and prey. But while scientists have long studied bugs preserved in the material, they have only recently grasped its true age. The newfound value of the material means that dealers now buy up the amber and sell it on to scientific institutions.

Source: The Guardian February 05, 2018 15:56 UTC