In Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a group of naturalists discovered something extraordinary while looking for ambush predators. They unearthed a small spider with a body split in half—one side bright orange and the other ghostly grey.
Led by entomologist Chawakorn Kunsete from Chulalongkorn University, the team quickly recognized this wasn’t just any spider. This was a new species, and even more remarkably, it displayed a condition known as bilateral gynandromorphism, meaning one side was male and the other female.
Meet Inazuma
When Kunsete’s colleague Surin Limrudee shared photos of the spider on Facebook, it drew considerable attention. Kunsete noted, “This specimen is not only a gynandromorph but also distinct from any known species.” The researchers later found more specimens, confirming their discovery.
The spider, named Damarchus inazuma, belongs to a group known as wishbone spiders, relatives of tarantulas. Living in underground silk-lined tunnels, these spiders are adept ambush predators.
The team chose the name Inazuma after a character from the manga One Piece, known for shifting between male and female forms. This link underscores the fascinating duality of the spider’s own unique characteristics.
How Gynandromorphism Happens
Gynandromorphism can result from errors during early cell division, leading to one side developing male traits while the other develops female traits. This phenomenon has been observed in birds and butterflies, but it is extremely rare in spiders. In fact, prior to Damarchus inazuma, only two examples were recorded in tarantulas.
This spider serves as the first known gynandromorph in the spider family Bemmeridae, making it a valuable discovery for researchers.
Unique Features
D. inazuma showcases distinct features: females are about an inch long and bright orange, while males are smaller and pale grey. Researchers speculate that the grey coloration may provide camouflage or protection.
Interestingly, during their observations, the spiders displayed defensive behavior, baring fangs when disturbed. Although they appear fierce, there’s no evidence to suggest they pose a threat to humans.
An Event to Remember
The discovery of D. inazuma highlights the complexities of nature. Gynandromorphism occurs in about one in 17,000 spiders, and in mygalomorphs, it’s even rarer. Experts suggest factors like parasites or environmental stress may influence these occurrences.
As Kunsete said, “This discovery was only possible thanks to the support and collaboration of many people.” For evolutionary biologists, studying this spider could shed light on how sex differentiation occurs, deepening our understanding of biological diversity.
In a world where labels often dominate, D. inazuma reminds us that nature is fluid, filled with surprises waiting to be discovered.
For further reading on this topic, check out the research published in Zootaxa here.
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