New Urban Spider Species Named After Pink Floyd Album Discovered in Colombia
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Researchers have identified a new species of crevice weaver spider in Colombia, naming it Pikelinia floydmuraria in a nod to the Pink Floyd album 'The Wall'. The tiny, urban-dwelling spider preys on common household pests like mosquitoes and flies. The discovery, published in an open-access journal, also includes the first detailed description of the genitalia of a related species from the Galapagos Islands.
Facts First
- A new spider species, Pikelinia floydmuraria, has been discovered in Colombia.
- The species name references the Pink Floyd album 'The Wall' ('muraria' is Latin for 'wall').
- The spider is a synanthropic (urban-dwelling) species measuring 3-4 millimeters.
- Its diet includes common household pests like mosquitoes, flies, and ants.
- The discovery provides the first detailed description of the female genitalia of a related species, Pikelinia fasciata.
What Happened
Researchers from several South American institutions identified a new species of crevice weaver spider belonging to the Pikelinia genus. The species is named Pikelinia floydmuraria, with 'muraria' derived from the Latin word for 'wall' in reference to the Pink Floyd album 'The Wall'. The findings were published in the open-access journal Zoosytematics and Evolution.
Pikelinia floydmuraria is a synanthropic (urban-dwelling) spider measuring between 3 and 4 millimeters in length. It is the second known species of the Pikelinia genus recorded in Colombia. In the same publication, researchers provided the first detailed description and illustrations of the female internal genitalia of Pikelinia fasciata, a species from the Galapagos Islands first identified in 1902. The two species share strong similarities, including nearly identical male palpal structures.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in an urban area in Colombia, this tiny spider may already be a neighbor. As a synanthropic species, it lives in human-altered environments. Its diet targets common household pests, including mosquitoes (Culicidae) and houseflies (Muscidae), which could mean it plays a role in natural pest control. The spiders place their webs near artificial light sources to capture these phototactic (light-attracted) insects.
What's Next
The publication of this discovery in an open-access journal makes the findings freely available to other scientists and the public, which could facilitate further research. The detailed anatomical work, especially on the previously undescribed genitalia of Pikelinia fasciata, provides a clearer baseline for identifying and classifying other species within this genus. Future studies may investigate the full geographic range of P. floydmuraria and its ecological impact in urban settings.