In the forests of Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a tiny spider specimen has attracted the attention of scientists for a surprising reason: its body is divided perfectly in two, half male and half female. This is a case of gynandromorphism, an extremely rare biological condition that occurs when, during embryonic development, an anomaly occurs in the distribution of sex chromosomes.
At first glance, the spider seemed only two-colored, but an in-depth analysis conducted by researchers at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok revealed an exceptional discovery: not only is it a gynandromorphic individual, but also a species never cataloged before.
A new species: Damarchus inazuma
Scientists have classified the new spider as Damarchus inazuma, belonging to the Bemmeridae family, a group of mygalomorphic spiders widespread in Southeast Asia and known for digging underground burrows. The females, red-orange in color and larger (about 2.5 cm), contrast with the males, smaller and greyish, just one centimeter long.
But the specimen that surprised the researchers showed both characteristics: the left side with the vivid shades of the female and the right side with the duller colors of the male. A symmetrical and perfect division, an almost unique case in the history of arachnology.
A tribute to the world of One Piece
The name chosen, Damarchus inazumais a tribute to the character Inazuma from the famous manga One Piececapable of changing sex and known for the two-tone appearance and symmetry of his clothes. A symbolic choice, which combines science and pop culture, underlining how nature itself can surpass the imagination.
According to the authors of the study published on Zootaxathis is the first documented case of gynandromorphism in the Bemmeridae family and only the third among all known mygalomorphic spiders. The causes of this anomaly still remain mysterious: they could be genetic or influenced by environmental factors, such as infections or mutations during embryonic growth. A discovery that reminds us how, even in the scientific world, exceptions can become the most fascinating keys to understanding the complexity of life.
You might also be interested in:
