Scientists have discovered a new species of "smiley-faced spider" in the Himalayan region of India.
AzEdu.az reports with reference to foreign media that the species, scientifically named Theridion himalayana, attracts attention with colorful patterns on its abdomen resembling a human smile.
According to scientists, "smiley-faced spiders" were previously thought to live only in the Hawaiian Islands. The most famous species, Theridion grallator, was considered the only such spider in the world for many years. The new species found in the Himalayas has changed this view.
DNA analyzes showed that the new species differs genetically by approximately 8.5 percent from the analogous species in Hawaii. For this reason, scientists have classified it as a separate species.
During the research, 32 different color and pattern variations of the spider were also identified. Red and white markings on some samples resemble a smile on a human face.
