Spider Fossil Quiz

Where was the Megamonodontium mccluskyi fossil unearthed?

• Papua New Guinea

• New South Wales

• Singapore

• Indonesia

What is the estimated age of the spider fossil?

• 16 million years

• Not mentioned

• 16-11 million years

• 11 million years

What is the size of the ancient spider?

• 2 inches

• 50 mm

• Palm-sized

• Not mentioned

Which family does the ancient spider likely belong to?

• Barychelidae

• Trapdoor spiders

• Brush-footed spiders

• Not mentioned

Where do the present-day counterparts of the ancient spider thrive?

• Papua New Guinea

• Indonesia

• Singapore

• Australia

What is the significance of the discovery of M. mccluskyi?

• All of the above

• One of four spider fossils documented in Australia

• First known member of Barychelidae family found

• Reveals new information about spider extinction

Why are spider fossils rare worldwide?

• Fossilization favors the preservation of bones

• Soft-bodied creatures do not fossilize easily

• Spiders are too small to leave fossils

• Not mentioned

Who led the team of researchers that discovered the spider fossil?

• Dr. Matthew McCurry

• Simon McClusky

• Dr. Matthew McCurry and Simon McClusky

• Not mentioned

Where were the findings of the research published?

• CNN.com

• ZMEscience.com

• Not mentioned

• Australian.museum

What is the name of the ancient spider?

• M. mccluskyi

• Barychelidae mccluskyi

• Megamonodontium mccluskyi

• Not mentioned