As we anticipate the new Spider-Man's appearance in "Captain America: Civil War," let's gush about another amazing spider: Brian, a newly discovered Australian arachnid with a love for "surfing waves."
Introduced at the World Science Festival in Queensland on Wednesday, Brian is a young male spider that is part of Dolomedes briangreenei, a new species named in honor of string theorist Professor Brian Greene.
Brian is an incredible water spider endemic to the freshwaters of Brisbane, and is capable of using vibrations or waves on the water's surface to navigate and hunt prey. It eats fish, tadpoles and even toads thrice its size.
Scientist Robert Raven of Queensland Museum said Brian can just sit on the water for up to an hour. When an insect suddenly hits the surface, it races out to grab it. The spider dives under the water and then swims back to the shore to start eating its prize.
Fortunately, Brian does not pose any danger to humans.
"I've been bitten by this spider and it's not particularly dangerous. It just stung for a little while," said Raven. No hope for turning into a wave-surfing masked hero with special abilities there.
Meanwhile, Greene quickly bonded with his wave-loving namesake.
Greene mentioned that the field of physics and understanding the universe is all about waves. With the announcement of the detection of gravitational waves, or the ripples on the surface of space-time, Greene said he is honored to be closely associated with a spider that has a deep affinity for waves.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, the premier of Queensland, finds the discovery very fascinating. She said it is wonderful that the native spider, which strongly relies on waves for its survival, is named after a man who is one of the scientific community's leading experts in explaining and exploring the effects of waves in the universe.
On Wednesday, Greene talked to the press with little Brian in a fish bowl by his side about the World Science Festival's launch in the southern hemisphere.
"The goal [of the festival is] quite simple: to create a new experience of science, to have a place where young and old, novice and experienced can come in and experience science in a way that feels compelling and dramatic - not intimidating - and utterly inspiring," said Greene.
The World Science Festival, which began in 2008 in New York City, brings together the greatest scientific minds. This year's celebration is the first time it was held outside the city.
When @bgreene met Brian. #WSFBrisbane #arachnology https://t.co/I9U1R1e320 #qldmuseum @mashable pic.twitter.com/wdJKwUKIir
— Queensland Museum (@qldmuseum) March 9, 2016
