Photo of the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver. (credit: Dr. Jean K. Krejca, Zara Environmental, LLC)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CBS Houston) — An endangered eyeless spider is holding up a $15 million Texas highway project.
Construction of the highway underpass project on Texas 151 was indefinitely delayed after a biologist consultant with the Texas Department of Transportation discovered the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver, according to San Antonio Express-News.
The Express-News reports the spider, which is about the size of a dime, was added to the endangered species list 12 years ago.
Dr Jean Krejca of Zara Environmental told the paper the finding of this spider is like ”stumbling on a new Galapagos Island.”
Department spokesperson Josh Donat says it’s just now a wait-and-see plan on what to do.
“We have to wait until the Fish and Wildlife Service gives us the thumbs up for plan B or plan C or whatever plan we end up going with,” he told KSAT-TV.
Donat added that the finding was a “huge surprise.”
“It’s phenomenal. Those who are really into spiders geek out about it,” Donat told KSAT. “This is really cool.”
Construction for the $15 million highway project started in April.
This is the second time this type of spider has been found in the world, both times being in Bexar County, Texas.
