Meet The Peacock Spider, Found Just 2 Years Ago

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The Maratus Yanchep, also known as the peacock spider, is a small, colourful spider with distinctive features

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New species of spiders are discovered every year. The tally is now 113, says a report

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Maratus Yanchep is only known to exist in a small area of coastal dunes near Yanchep, north of Perth

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The dunes that are home to the spider are just 20 metres from land being cleared for large new estates

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The spider was only described in 2022 and has not been listed on state or federal threatened species lists

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According to the state government, the Maratus Yanchep has no protection

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The spider is at risk of extinction due to excessive development near its only known refuge

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Peacock spiders are tiny and colourful. Many have bodies just 4-5 mm across

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Many species of peacock spider are only known from within a very small area of their suitable habitat

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