Most scientists would agree that the troglofauna of Australia is largely undescribed due to a lack of research. However, troglofauna surveys are increasingly being conducted as part of environmental impact assessment processes for activities which disturb geologies such as mining. More recently such surveys have uncovered the presence of troglofauna in many of Australia’s remote areas such as the Pilbara and Midwest of WA. Not surprisingly, many new troglobitic species are being found which are undescribed in scientific literature.

Recently, a new species of troglobitic spider was discovered at Koolanooka Hills in the Midwest of WA. Interestingly, the spider was not trapped using conventional methods but was collected by chance when it was accidentally brought to the surface from an exploration drill hole. While two ecologia scientists were measuring the depth of this drill hole; which occurred in a banded ironstone formation, they accidentally snagged a large piece of fibrous vegetation that had somehow ended up deep within the hole. The vegetation was brought to the surface and appeared to consist mostly of fine dried roots that were loosely clumped together. When the material was examined closely, a small pale spider was found crawling within the fibres. The spider was taken back to the laboratory and examined at high magnification which revealed that unlike other terrestrial spiders, it possessed no eyes and was completely blind (i.e. typical of troglobitic species). The spider was later confirmed by an expert to be a new species belonging to a worldwide family called the Gnaphosidae or sac-spiders. These species in this family are terrestrial; however, a few troglobitic species are also known to exist. These species live in voids and fractures within porous rock formations and may occur deep beneath the surface where they prey on other troglobitic species.

Because the Koolanooka spider is a predatory species, it is likely that other species of troglobites occur at Koolanooka which may form part of a larger troglobitic community. Further sampling is currently being conducted to collect and identify other species.