Pilia malenadu

Why in news?

Researchers discover a new species of spider in a Chikkamagaluru village, name it after ‘Malenadu’

• Family – Salticidae.
• Genus – Pilia, a genus of jumping spiders.
  • These spiders are small, agile predators known for excellent vision, agile movements and jumping ability.
  • It exhibit complex courtship behavior and active hunting, unlike web-building spiders.
  • 1^st described by  - Eugène Louis Simon in 1902.
• Location – Madhugundi village, Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka.
• Etymology – Named after the Malenadu region of Karnataka, locally known as the "land of hills" — “mala” means hill, “nadu” means land.
• Taxonomic importance –
  • This is the 1^st time both male & female specimens of the genus have been identified, resolving a long-standing taxonomic gap.
  • Previously, only three species - all male specimens, are known.
• Distinctiveness – It differs from common house or garden spiders, both in appearance and behaviour.
• Habitat – 2 plant species — Memecylon umbellatum & Memecylon malabaricum - the spiders were found concealed between the leaves of these plants.
• Morphology – New species is morphologically closest to Bristowia, another genus of jumping spiders, sharing robust first legs and comparable genital structures.

• Significance – This is the 1^st  discovery of a Pilia genus spider species in 123 years, last recorded in 1902 in Kerala, underscores the importance of Western Ghats' status as a biodiversity hotspot.

Reference

The Hindu | New spider species is discovered in Chikkamagaluru