A new species of spider, Cebrennus rechenbergi, has been described as the only spider that can move by doing flic-flac jumps by using its legs for rolling and propelling.
According to Dr. Peter Jager, head of arachnology from the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, the new species of spider is nocturnal and thrives in the sand desert of Erg Chebbi in Morocco. They use their feelers and elongated bristles to create a tube-like habitat in the sand. They even attach silk threads that provide protection from the sun and even predators. Its unique talent is making flic-flac jumps. Compared with its Namibian relative identified as the golden rolling spider because of its ability to roll down sand dunes, the new spider can do more. By using its legs, it can create a rolling motion and can propel itself off the ground before doing a series of flic-flac moves.
This movement makes the spider more flexible than its Namibian relative. The behavior is usually displayed when the spider has been provoked and needs to move faster, as a result. By doing the flic-flac jumps at a rate of 2 meters per second, the spider can double his movement speed. Whether it's uphill, downhill, or ground level, it can move easily on any terrain.
The flic-flac spider is named after the Berlin scientist and bionics expert Prof. Dr. Ingo Rechenberg who discovered the new species at a Moroccan expedition. Dr. Jager worked with him to determine the taxonomy.
Inspired by the flic-flac spider's unique talent, Dr. Rechenberg developed a spider robot that measures 25cm long. Dubbed as "The Tabbot" which came from the Berber word "Tabacha" for spider, the robot can move by walking and also by turning somersaults.
"This robot may be employed in agriculture, on the ocean floor, or even on Mars," Dr. Rechenberg said in a press release.
Further details of this discovery can be read on the journal Zootaxa.
