Fossil of ancient giant Trapdoor spider unveils lost rainforest of Australia

Scientists have discovered the fossil of a large spider, named Megamonodontium mccluskyi, in Australia. This is one of the few spider fossils found in the country and the world’s first fossil of a spider from the Barychelidae family. The fossil provides insights into the extinction of spider species and fills gaps in understanding Australia’s past. The spider is believed to have gone extinct as the continent became more arid.