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LiveScience
LiveScience
Sascha Pare

'It seems that size really does matter': Males of 4 never-before-seen tarantula species have record-long genitalia

Closeup image of a newfound tarantula species, Satyrex ferox.

Scientists have had to create an entirely new spider genus after four new tarantula species were found to have such long genitalia that they couldn't fit into any pre-existing category.

The team believe the males have evolved this impressive appendage to keep themselves as far away as possible from aggressive females, which are known to eat their partners during mating.

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