LAWRENCE — A Kansas University researcher has a new fossil he’s describing in a scientific journal and on the Web – a giant prehistoric spider. KU professor Paul Seldon said the ancient arachnid is the Jurassic part of a link between early creepies and modern-day web spinners. The fossil was found on in Inner Mongolia in China at a site that has been a gold mine for spider fossils. Because it was found in volcanic ash, the spider was exceptionally well preserved and his researchers were able to use a scanning electron microscope to look at the spider’s hairs, foot claws and pinchers, Seldon said. The spider probably dined on other spiders and insects; and unlike those prehistoric movies, no people.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m.
