Jane Ogilvie has been searching a specific area on Kangaroo Island for the critically endangered Kangaroo Island assassin spider, a relic from 150 million years ago. Despite extensive efforts over five weeks, only one juvenile spider has been found. The spider, which requires moist leaf litter for survival, is threatened by prolonged drought, low rainfall, devastating bushfires, and invasive plant diseases. Last year's findings were similarly dire, with the species on the brink of extinction due to environmental changes.
"Everything is so dry, it's hardly rained for two years," says conservation biologist Jane Ogilvie, highlighting the severe drought impacting the Kangaroo Island assassin spider's habitat.
The species' last remaining habitat has faced near-record drought for 18 months, with some of the lowest rainfall figures on record since 1900, endangering the spiders' survival.
The black summer bushfires destroyed significant areas of potential habitat, which have not fully recovered, further threatening the survival of Kangaroo Island's critically endangered assassin spider.
Dr. Michael Rix warns, "They're potentially one big fire away from extinction," emphasizing the precarious existence of the Kangaroo Island assassin spider due to various threats.
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