New jumping spider species discovered in southern India; possibly a first for rare genera, say researchers
A team of researchers has identified a new species of jumping spiders of the Spartaeinae subfamily in southern India, known for their intelligent hunting skills and web-invasion tactics.
According to researchers, this discovery possibly marks the first time that the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita (specific groups within subfamily), previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been found in India.
The research, led by John Caleb T.D. from Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, has introduced a new species named Spartaeus karigiri, after Karigiri, or Elephant Hill, in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where the spiders were first observed.
The male of this species was spotted hiding in crevices and rocky outcrops, while the female was found guarding an egg clutch in the wild. More specimens were also discovered in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district.
The study, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on June 11, involved researchers from across India. Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin and Souvik Sen from the Zoological Survey of India documented the specimens through detailed drawings and imaging, while fieldwork was supported by B.G. Nisha from the Wildlife Aware Nature Club in Tumakuru, Gautam Kadam from Sacred Heart College in Cochin, Rajesh Sanap, naturalist and wildlife researcher, and Chinmay Maliye, wildlife enthusiast.
According to Mr. Caleb, the discovery holds particular significance because Spartaeus and Sonoita have never before been recorded in India. These spiders, part of the Salticidae family, are known for their keen eyesight and unique hunting methods, often deceiving other spiders by mimicking prey.
In addition, Sonoita cf. lightfooti, a species previously thought to be confined to Africa, was also identified in Karnataka. This raises questions about whether it is a natural range extension or an introduced population, said Mr. Caleb.
The study also resolved a longstanding taxonomic confusion. The species Marpissa gangasagarensis, described in 2005 from Gangasagar, West Bengal, was confirmed to be the same as Phaeacius fimbriatus, a species first described in 1900, following careful examination of historical museum specimens, the study noted.
With these findings, India's spider fauna under the Spartaeinae subfamily has grown to 15 species across 10 genera. Despite these advancements, the study pointed out, much of India's varied terrain remains under-studied, with many more species waiting to be uncovered.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- The Hindu
New jumping spider species discovered in southern India; possibly a first for rare genera, say researchers
A team of researchers has identified a new species of jumping spiders of the Spartaeinae subfamily in southern India, known for their intelligent hunting skills and web-invasion tactics. According to researchers, this discovery possibly marks the first time that the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita (specific groups within subfamily), previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been found in India. The research, led by John Caleb T.D. from Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, has introduced a new species named Spartaeus karigiri, after Karigiri, or Elephant Hill, in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where the spiders were first observed. The male of this species was spotted hiding in crevices and rocky outcrops, while the female was found guarding an egg clutch in the wild. More specimens were also discovered in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district. The study, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on June 11, involved researchers from across India. Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin and Souvik Sen from the Zoological Survey of India documented the specimens through detailed drawings and imaging, while fieldwork was supported by B.G. Nisha from the Wildlife Aware Nature Club in Tumakuru, Gautam Kadam from Sacred Heart College in Cochin, Rajesh Sanap, naturalist and wildlife researcher, and Chinmay Maliye, wildlife enthusiast. According to Mr. Caleb, the discovery holds particular significance because Spartaeus and Sonoita have never before been recorded in India. These spiders, part of the Salticidae family, are known for their keen eyesight and unique hunting methods, often deceiving other spiders by mimicking prey. In addition, Sonoita cf. lightfooti, a species previously thought to be confined to Africa, was also identified in Karnataka. This raises questions about whether it is a natural range extension or an introduced population, said Mr. Caleb. The study also resolved a longstanding taxonomic confusion. The species Marpissa gangasagarensis, described in 2005 from Gangasagar, West Bengal, was confirmed to be the same as Phaeacius fimbriatus, a species first described in 1900, following careful examination of historical museum specimens, the study noted. With these findings, India's spider fauna under the Spartaeinae subfamily has grown to 15 species across 10 genera. Despite these advancements, the study pointed out, much of India's varied terrain remains under-studied, with many more species waiting to be uncovered.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Time of India
King Cobra mystery solved after 188 years! Scientists reveal it's actually four deadly species
King Cobra mystery solved after 188 years! Scientists reveal it's actually four deadly species For nearly two centuries, the mighty king cobra revered in folklore and feared in the wild was thought to be a single, monolithic species: Ophiophagus hannah. This fearsome serpent, capable of growing over 18 feet long and delivering a venom potent enough to kill a human in minutes, has captured imaginations across the globe. But recent scientific evidence has shattered this long-held presumption. The king cobra is not one, but four separate species, according to a landmark paper published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on October 16, 2023. This breakthrough is the culmination of decades of genetic and morphological study, supplanting centuries of taxonomic convention and providing new insight into one of the world's most mysterious reptiles. King Cobra mystery ends: Scientists officially name 4 distinct species The origins of this revelation are in a 2021 study that exhaustively analysed DNA throughout the full known distribution range of the king cobra, as reported by Live Science. That genetic study found four distinct lineages, but so far, those lineages have only been designated as "confirmed candidate species," without formal morphological proof and names. To add to that research, scientists consulted 153 museum specimens, studying their body forms, patterned scales, color, dentition, and banding. That combined morphological and genetic method has now resulted in formal classification of four species: Northern King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) Western Ghats King Cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga) Luzon King Cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana) The four King Cobras: A breakdown of the species 1. Northern King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Range: Sub-Himalayas, eastern India, Myanmar, Indochina, and the Kra Isthmus of Thailand Features: Dark-edged yellow bands, 18-21 teeth, with an almost band-less head and neck Significance: This is most geographically distributed of the group and still keeps the original scientific name. 2. Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) Range: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Mindoro (Philippines) Features: Typically unbanded or narrow pale bands with dark margins; distinguished by body size Distinctive Trait: One of the most structurally homogeneous of the four, this species shows little banding in most specimens . 3. Western Ghats King Cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga) Range: Western Ghats, India Features: Wide pale bands without dark edges; separable from O. bungarus by superficial differences Notable: It is the first endemic species documented solely in India's Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. 4. Luzon King Cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana) Range: Luzon Island, Philippines Features: Angular pale body bands that are sharply different from the other species Unique Feature: Striking contrast and band structure distinguish it clearly from other lineages. King Cobra split sparks race for region-specific antivenoms According to Live Science , all four of these snakes continue to be among the most venomous reptiles on the planet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alarma con Aviso Inmediato a Policía Movistar Prosegur Alarmas Haz clic aquí Undo King cobras inject a large amount of very powerful neurotoxic venom per bite, enough to kill a full-grown human being in less than 15 minutes. Previously, antivenoms were produced under the belief that there was only one species present. With the taxonomy being brought up to date, researchers hope this information can greatly enhance region-specific antivenom development and research. Targeted venom profiling can potentially result in safer and more effective antivenoms tailored to the actual snake species found in each region. 'This is a huge leap toward understanding how to save lives from bites in different habitats,' said lead author Gowri Shankar Pogiri, founder of the Kalinga Foundation. Scientists say more King Cobras await discovery This research could just be the tip of the iceberg. According to Gowri Shankar and his team, published in Live Science , there could be other yet-to-be-discovered king cobra species hiding on other tiny islands throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Researchers are already in the field testing whether other local populations are also distinct species. 'We're already studying some of these island groups,' Pogiri told Mongabay. 'There's a high chance we're just scratching the surface.' New cobras, new challenges: Conservationists sound the alarm This discovery has vast implications beyond the lab and the clinic. Species identification is critical for conservation planning, particularly in biodiversity-rich but ecologically threatened regions like the Western Ghats and the Philippines. Individualized conservation efforts can now be tailored for each newly identified species. Most of these snakes are already under stress from habitat loss, skin and medicinal poaching, as well as human-wildlife conflict. Separating the species could promote some to endangered or critically endangered levels on international conservation platforms.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- New Indian Express
ZSI discovers new species of skink in Eastern Ghats
HYDERABAD: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a new species of skink from the Eastern Ghats, named Riopa deccanensis or the Deccan Gracile Skink. The species is characterised by a slender body, semi-transparent eyelids and distinct longitudinal dorsal stripes. It is currently known only from two localities, highlighting the rich but under-explored herpetofaunal diversity of the Eastern Ghats. Riopa deccanensis becomes the ninth recognised species in its genus and the sixth known from India. This is the first such species described from the country in over 84 years, marking an addition to Indian reptilian biodiversity.
