Prehistoric spider could hold key to medical cures
Tasmania boasts the deepest caves in Australia — and, now, the nation’s first cave animal ambassador.
Tasmania
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TASMANIA boasts not only the deepest caves in Australia but the nation’s first cave animal ambassador.
The inaugural Australian Cave Animal of the Year is the Tasmanian cave spider (Hickmania troglodytes), which became internationally famous two years ago in a film made in Tasmania.
Niall Doran, of Hobart, produced the hit film Sixteen Legs, a documentary on the spider, and is director of state environmental education organisation the Bookend Trust.
“The Tasmanian cave spider has a highly unusual life cycle and mating habits that have captured attention around the globe through Sixteen Legs, which is the story of Tasmanian caves and the reproductive cycle of this prehistoric spider,” Dr Doran said.
The new campaign highlighting the importance of cave animals was launched by Dr Doran at the 31st Australian Speleological Federation Conference held at Devonport last week.
The five-day get-together, which attracted about 140 guests, mostly cavers and scientists, finished on Friday.
The Cave Animal of the Year is based on a successful campaign that started in Germany in 2008 and highlights the importance of caves as important animal habitat.
Local campaign founder and co-ordinator Cathie Plowman, a caver and nurse, said cave animals were highly specialised to live in a world with low or no light.
“But they are generally little-known and little thought about.
“The Tasmanian cave spider is one of the last survivors from a very old family tree and its ancient genes might lead to cures for human diseases like cancer and fungal infections.”
Ms Plowman, of Deviot, is an expert on cave glowworms, but chose the Tasmanian Cave Spider as the inaugural Australian Cave Animal of the Year based on the international success and attention gained by the Sixteen Legs film/book/exhibition umbrella project.
The campaign has launched online at caveanimaloftheyear.org.au
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