We don't know what this tiny ground spider calls itself. But we humans should refer to it by its official taxanomic identifier, which is Hotwheels sisyphus. It lives in southwestern China and is one of three recently classified ground spiders in that region of China.
ZooKeys informs us that it was named specifically for the Hot Wheels toys produced by Mattel bccause the coiled embolus (I think that's part of the legs) of the animal resembles a Hot Wheels track.
The Drive says that the Hotwheels sisyphus is noted for its "weird genitals," but I think that's getting a bit personal. I mean, how would you feel if people primarily thought of your genitalia when learning about you?
-via Super Punch
Newest 4 Comments
Sheesh. It must be hard to live with sexual dysfunction. Having scientists make fun of you for it is even worse.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
So I went to the Drive to see why the species name is sisyphus, the mythical character doomed to repeat a pointless task every day. It's all about spider sex, and it's pretty grim. "But since they lack nerves, they can be difficult to position..." And sex can lead to cannibalism. That seems pretty pointless. And now I feel sorry for a spider.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
Thank you for the correction.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
Spiders are not insects.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)