A naturalist discovered an extinct jellyfish
A naturalist from Scotland accidentally found a stem jellyfish (Depastrum cyathiforme), which had been considered extinct for over half a century. This was reported by 'Glavcom' citing The Guardian.
This jellyfish, which resembles a thistle flower, was last recorded in British waters in the mid-20th century, and in the Roscoff region of northern France - in 1976.
In June 2023, while collecting stones in the South Uist area (Outer Hebrides), the naturalist found four creatures he did not recognize. Initially, he tried to identify them on his own, but internet searches only yielded 'historical drawings in pen and watercolor.' He was 'very pleased' when experts confirmed that the photos he took depicted the 'extinct' jellyfish.
This summer, Guy Freeman, the editor of British Wildlife magazine, personally visited South Uist and was also able to find these jellyfish. 'What previously existed only in old drawings suddenly appeared there, in the flesh. It is very encouraging that the jellyfish was still there this summer, two years after the discovery, but now we need to expand the search and find out if it has survived anywhere else,' Freeman said.
Spiders in Ukraine and their venomousness
Almost all spiders in Ukraine are venomous. Most of the spiders encountered in Ukraine have venomous glands. This is part of their natural hunting mechanism, but for humans, such venom poses no threat in most cases. Arachologist Dr. Anastasia Iyosipchuk from Kherson State University explained this to 'Telegraph,' as reported by 'Glavcom.'
It is noted that those spiders that can bite through human skin are dangerous. However, most spiders are too small for this, and their jaws are weak. Only representatives of the Uloboridae family (uloborid spiders) do not have venomous glands. There are only three species of these spiders in Ukraine.
'They have reduced (lost) venomous glands, while all other spiders have them, even very small ones. This is a form of their hunting,' the specialist explained.
It is almost impossible to distinguish a venomous spider from a non-venomous one. However, the real danger to humans comes only from those spiders that can bite through human skin. Usually, small spiders are incapable of this.
Nature surprises us again with its revelations. Naturalists have discovered an extinct jellyfish that had been considered lost for over half a century. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, spiders, although almost all venomous, do not pose a significant threat to humans as they are too small to bite through skin.