One of the two new species of fossilised spider
A University of Manchester scientist is offering the public the chance to name two new species of spider, which have been fossilised in amber for millions of years. There is also the opportunity to name a new species of lacebug (Hemiptera) and a new species of lacewing (Neuroptera), each name for the price of a donation of£5,000 or more to David Penney's research. Dr Penney is a visiting academic at the Faculty of Life Sciences and as such, his work is voluntary. He hopes the naming project will not only raise funds, it will increase awareness of the International Year of Biodiversity. The United Nations has named 2010 the year of biodiversity to celebrate the diversity of life on Earth and recognise its significance in sustaining the natural living systems or ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services. Dr Penney travels the world investigating spiders and other insects which have been fossilised in amber. The amber pieces are found in a variety of locations from the Dominican Republic, Canada and the Baltic region to Spain, France, Lebanon and Australia and some date back 130 million years.
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