Delicate Spider Fossil Discovered | The Institute for Creation Research

Delicate Spider Fossil Discovered
Discovering fossil spiders has become fairly common.1 Each time they have been 100% spiders, not vague evolutionary ancestors with partial or transitional features.2
 
Now a whole collection of “ancient” spiders from the Cretaceous (Albian) Jinji Formation in Korea has been discovered.3 This is a significant discovery because these small arachnids were found to have a special eye membrane called the tapetum (təˈpiːtÉ™m)—a paleontological first.   
 
There is nothing simple or archaic about the tapetum (or tapetum lucidum). This structure is found in a variety of animals, from teleosts (fish) to nocturnal mammals such as owls and moths. It’s composed of a layer of cells found either outside the retina or in it. The tapetum contains guanine crystals, zinc, and riboflavin (a protein that actually fluoresces—it shines). Light striking the eyes of a cat at night, for example, is highly reflected, giving the eerie appearance of the eyes “glowing.” The purpose of this reflective membrane seems to be to increase the sensitivity of the eye to dim light.
 
The evolutionary researchers estimate the Jinji spider fossils are around 110 million years old and were gradually buried in lake sediments. Gradually? I beg to differ. These creatures had no hard shell or bones that would have aided preservation, but were buried so rapidly that even the imprints of their tiny leg hairs can easily be seen. There was no indication of the predation or scavenging one would expect if burial were slow and gradual. A rapid burial of these arachnids due to the Genesis Flood about 4,500 years ago is a far better explanation.

This amazing discovery once again shows that ancient spiders were as complex as today’s spiders, glowing eyes and all. Tweet: This amazing discovery once again shows that

This amazing discovery once again shows that “ancient” spiders were as complex as today’s spiders, glowing eyes and all.4
 
References
1. Thomas, B. Spectacular Spider Is a Long-Living Fossil. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org February 24, 2010, accessed February 3, 2019.
2. Sherwin, F. Spiders Have Always Been Spiders. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org March 19, 2015, accessed February 3, 2019.
3. Greshko, M. New fossil spiders with ‘glowing’ eyes found in South Korea. Posted on nationalgeographic.com January 31, 2019, accessed February 3, 2019. 
4. Ghose, T. Stunningly Preserved 165-Million-Year-Old Spider Fossil Found. Wired. Posted on Wired.com February 9, 2010, accessed February 3, 2019.

Stage image: Koreamegops samsiki
Stage image credit: Copyright © 2019. P. A. Selden. Used in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does not imply endorsement of copyright holder.

*Mr. Sherwin is Research Associate is at ICR. He has a master’s in zoology from the University of Northern Colorado.

The Latest
NEWS
Dino Footprints Down Under
Dinosaur trackways1 are once again making the news. Australia is the setting of a remarkable series of dinosaur tracks attributed to ornithischian...

NEWS
April 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things...

NEWS
Human Evolution and the Inner Ear
The vain attempt by evolutionists to make an evolutionary connection between people and ape-like ancestors continues. This time, it is in regard to...

CREATION PODCAST
Defending the Faith with a Rocket Scientist | Creation.Live Podcast:...
How do engineering principles, biological complexity, and a solid understanding of apologetics work together to further the cause of Christ? Why...

NEWS
Aerobic and Anaerobic Hot Spring Bacteria
God designed a domain of prokaryotes called Archaea that thrive in harsh and extreme environments. In 1969, two microbiologists, Thomas Brock and Hudson...

CREATION PODCAST
The Soulless Hominid Theory: A Fatal Flaw in Old Earth Creationism...
Welcome to the second episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit...

NEWS
Humpback Whale Calls Echo Creation
There is nothing simple about the system of communication called language, whether animal or human.1 Human language is a very sophisticated...

NEWS
Mary Parker, Creation Ministry Partner of Dr. Gary Parker, Is...
Mary Parker, the wife and co-laborer of Dr. Gary Parker, went home to be with her Lord on March 20, 2025. Dr. Parker was a popular and effective...

NEWS
Plants Rely on Quantum Mechanics
Scientists will probably never fully understand photosynthesis as additional research uncovers even more fascinating mysteries.1,2 ICR’s...

NEWS
Martian Polar Ice Cap ''Surprisingly Young''?
A team of German planetary scientists has concluded that a three-kilometer-thick northern polar ice cap on Mars has a “surprisingly young”...