What connects Croatian sport legend Mate Parlov with the ground-dwelling spider Harpactea mateparlovi?

The new species of spider Harpactea mateparlovi has “muscular” pedipalps, which distinguish this very tiny spider (7 mm) from other species in this genus. This characteristic reminded scientists of the Croatian boxer and Champion Mate Parlov. Harpactea mateparlovi was found in several caves on Biokovo Mountain.

More about this species and Harpactea damini sp. nov., which was also found on Biokovo Mt, as well as about new species of this genus from the north-eastern Italian Alps you can read in the article.