Brian the spider: Scientists discover toad-eating species of 'surfing' arachnid

Scientists have discovered a new species of spider that eats toads and can "surf" on the surface of water.

The arachnid - of which there is so far only known to be one, called Brian - uses vibrations, or waves, on the surface of the water in freshwater streams to find prey.

Discovered by researchers in Australia, Brian is about the size of the palm of a hand and can eat fish, frogs and cane toads, according to scientists.

The species is not believed to be dangerous to humans.

Robert Raven, an arachnology expert at the Queensland Museum said: “These spiders sit there on the water and then all of a sudden an insect will hit the water and the spider races out to get it, grabs it, dives under the water and then swims back to the shore and starts eating it.

"The spider can sit under water for up to an hour and can kill and eat insects, fish and even cane toads at least three times its size.

“I've been bitten by this spider and it’s not particularly dangerous. It just stung for a little while.”

The spider was unveiled at the World Science Festival in Brisbane, and is named after a festival co-founder Columbia University’s Brian Greene, a world-renowned physicist.