Nature

Harry Potter-Inspired Name For A Newly Discovered Species Of Spider In Karnataka, India

Tripti
First Posted: Dec 17, 2016 02:13 AM EST

A team of arachnologists discovered a new species of Eriovixia spider in the Karnataka region of India. The shape of the crown of the spider resembled the shape of the sentient, rhyming Sorting Hat of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry of the fictional Harry Potter series of movies. The team of scientists was supposedly huge fans of Harry Potter series, so they decided to name the spider after co-founder of Hogwarts -- the fictional wizard Godric Gryffindor.

The spider disguises itself as a dried up leaf with its oddly shaped brown body, a wide base, which tapers toward the end and an irregular shaped bent beak above the spider's back. The researchers informed their wish of naming the newly discovered spider after Harry Potter's sorting hat to the author of the fictional series, J.K. Rowling, reported Live Science.

J.K. Rowling expressed her consent and happiness regarding the same and congratulated the scientists on their remarkable discovery in her tweet, which read, "I'm truly honored! Congratulations on discovering another #Fantastic Beast."

The team of arachnologists finalized the name of the spider as Eriovixia gryffindori. The scientists say that the whimsical choice of name is "an effort to draw attention to the fascinating, but often overlooked world of invertebrates, and their secret lives" and further commented that E. gryffindori is "an ode from the authors, for magic lost, and found."

The original article that described the discovery and nomenclature of the spider was published in the Indian Journal of Arachnology in the December 2016 issue. The article elaborated that the researchers found a female spider, which was about 0.3 inches (7 millimeters) in length on the forest floor in Karnataka, India.

The spider is grayish brown in color with dotted pattern and dark brown spots. The spider had a jagged dark line, which extends across its leaf-shaped -- and hat-shaped -- body. The article also highlighted the camouflage characteristic of the spider due to its similarity to the dry leaf foliage where it hides.

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