Scientists Discover New Gymnastic Spider: The Jumping Moroccan Flic-Flac Spider (VIDEO)

Scientists have discovered a new species of gymnastic spider. This leaping arachnid is the only spider known to move by means of flic-flac jump, propelling itself off of the ground before using a series or rapid flic-flac movements in its legs.

The spider in question is Cebrennus rechenbergi. It can be found in the sand desert, Erg Chebbi, which is located in southeastern Morocco. It possesses feelers and elongated bristles which it uses to create a tube-like home within the sand. Yet its most interesting feature is in the way it moves. The jumps allow the spider great flexibility uphill, downhill and on level ground. It usually employs the flic-flac jump when provoked, and can move almost twice as fast as its usually walking speed.

The researchers were able to actually determine the spider was a new species through morphological examination. Based on minute differences in their sex organs, the scientists were able to distinguish Cebrennus rechenbergi from its closely related cousin, Cebrennus villosus from Tunisia.

This spider isn't only interesting to study in and of itself, though. The spider could also be used as a model for robotics. In fact, researchers have now developed a 25 centimeter-long model of a spider robot. This robot can move by walking as well as by turning somersaults, giving it the ability to tackle different terrain.

New species are being described and discovered each day. By learning more about the animals on our planet, scientists can further develop new ways to mimic the biology of these creatures and apply them to the technology of today.

The findings are published in the journal Zootaxa.

Want to see the spider for yourself? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.