The world’s smallest spider is the Patu marplesi, a species of spider found in New Zealand. It is the smallest of all spiders, measuring just 0.37 mm in length. This makes it the world’s smallest spider and one of the smallest known animals.
The Patu marplesi is a member of the family Theridiidae, commonly known as cobweb spiders. The species was first discovered in the 1970s, but was not formally described until 2011. It is found in various parts of New Zealand, including the South Island.
The Patu marplesi is an incredibly tiny spider, measuring just 0.37 mm in length. Its body is mostly black, with yellow markings on its abdomen. Its legs are also yellow, with black stripes. This spider has a very small cephalothorax, which is the combined head and thorax section of the body.
The Patu marplesi hunts by waiting in its web and then pouncing on its prey. Its web is made up of very fine threads, which are almost invisible to the naked eye. This spider feeds mainly on small insects, such as mites and flies.
Despite its small size, the Patu marplesi is a surprisingly robust species. It is able to survive in a range of habitats, including damp forests, open grasslands, and even urban environments. It is also capable of surviving temperatures as low as 0°C.
The Patu marplesi is an incredible example of evolution at work. Its tiny size may be an adaptation to survive in an environment where food is scarce. Despite its small size, the Patu marplesi is a surprisingly resilient species. It is able to survive in a range of habitats, and is capable of catching even the smallest of insects.
