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A collaborative research involving the University of Kerala has reported the discovery of two new species of jumping spiders belonging to the genus Epidelaxia from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The new species of jumping spiders discovered in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam, Kerala.
- New species - Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov. and Epidelaxia palustris sp. Nov.
- Genus – Epidelaxia, 1st time the genus has been recorded from India, was previously considered endemic to Sri Lanka.
- Distinction - Characterised by their striking physical features, which include a prominent yellow triangular-shaped mark on the prosoma (the front part of the body) of females and
- Unique traits of the copulatory organs in both males and females.
- Appearance - Males of E. falciformis have a brown carapace with a yellow-brown stripe, while males of E. palustris feature a pale brown band along the side of their bodies.
- The females exhibit similar colouration, with the added feature of white orbital setae around their eyes.
- Size - The species vary slightly in size, with E. falciformis measuring 4.39 mm.
- E. palustris measures 4.57 mm in males and 3.69 mm in females.
- Habitat - These spiders have been described as highly adapted to their environment, inhabiting the dense foliage of the Western Ghats.
Reference
The Hindu | New species of jumping spiders
