A NEW species of spider which can surf, swim and catch fish has been discovered in Queensland.

Australian researchers have named it Dolomedes briangreenei, or Brian for short, in honour of physicist and World Science Festival co-founder Brian Greene, who is professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk unveiled the spider to Professor Green in Brisbane yesterday at the festival’s inaugural opening.

“It’s wonderful that this beautiful native spider, which relies on waves for its very survival, has found a namesake in a man who is one of the world’s leading experts in exploring and explaining the effects of waves in our universe,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Brian, a native of Brisbane, is about the size of the palm of a hand and uses vibrations on the surface of the water, or waves, to navigate and find prey.

It eats fish, frogs and tadpoles as well as the dreaded cane toad. In fact, researchers say Brian is making a significant contribution to the management of the pest.

The spiders are also good swimmers, usually working from the sides of pools and off rocks. They can also been seen sculling across the surface with their two middle pairs of legs.

When disturbed or hauling in captured fish, they will plunge through the surface of the water and swim quickly to hide on the bottom.