A spider bearing an "uncanny" resemblance to the sorting hat in the Harry Potter series has been discovered by scientists in India.

The Eriovixia gryffindori, measuring just 7mm in length, closely resembles the magical artefact in the series.

The spider takes its name from Godric Gryffindor, the fictional owner of the hat.

It was discovered in the mountainous Western Ghats region of south-western India.

"We were searching the area (when) we bumped into the spider," Javed Ahmed, one of three researchers who made the discovery, told the BBC's Five Live.

"When we found it we decided that we were going to name it after the sorting hat," the self-professed fan said.

The spider is an "ode to draw attention to the fascinating, but oft overlooked world of invertebrates,", said the scientists in a paper published by the Indian Journal of Arachnology.

The spider mimics dried foliage in order to hide from its predators.

The find did not go unnoticed by JK Rowling, the author of the wizarding books.

"(Ms Rowling) is absolutely thrilled. She said she was honoured and congratulated us," said Mr Ahmed.

"How many science geeks and nerds get to name a species after their favourite character and actually get congratulated by the author?", he said.

The discovery coincides with the recent release of Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which tells the tale of an animal-loving magic zoologist.