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

A team of researchers exploring biodiversity in the Western Ghats has discovered a new species of spider belonging to pilia, a genus of jumping spiders, at Madhugundi village in Mudigere taluk of Chikkamagaluru. Interestingly, the researchers named it “Pilia malenadu”, to give credit to the place it was found.

Back in 1902

The discovery, which has been published in Zootaxa, an international journal dedicated to researches in biodiversity, is significant because the last time a species of spiders belonging to pilia genus, was discovered about 123 years ago (1902) in Kerala. There are multiple species in one genus. Further, the researchers, for the first time, have found both male and female spiders of the species.

Ajit Padiyar, a postgraduate in wildlife and management, working as a naturalist at River Mist, a resort at Madhugundi, the village amidst lush green, spotted the 24 individuals of the spider species, which were later named “Pilia malenadu”. They included 17 males, three females and four juveniles. “Pilia malenadu” stands out from the spiders that most people are familiar with those commonly found in houses or gardens. This belongs to the genus that had not been recorded over 123 years. Finding them again and documenting the female for the first time is a major step in understanding the spider,” he said.

Mr. Padiyar co-authored the research article with arachnologist specialising in taxonomy Dr. John T.D. Caleb, medical doctor A.P.C. Abhijith and IT professional Jithesh Pai, who are all interested in studying spiders. Padiyar had found saffron reedtail, a rare species of damselfly endemic to the Western Ghats at the same place last year.

“The discovery of such rare species at Madhugundi village at the foothills of Western Ghats, indicates the healthy ecosystem at the place and stress the need to retain it,” Mr. Padiyar said.

In two plant species

Interestingly, the researchers noticed that these spiders were found only two plant species — Memecylon umbellatum and Memecylon malabaricum. In fact, the spiders were found concealed between the leaves of these plants. The researchers photographed them, preserved them and did morphological examination for documentary purposes.

“Our study shows the spiders are habitat specific. If we fail to conserve the habitat, there are chances of losing the species. Spiders are biological controllers and essential to check on insect population. The presence of such species highlights the need for conserving the Western Ghats,” said Mr. Padiyar.

Madhugundi village was one of the villages in Chikkamagaluru severely affected during the worst floods in 2019. Many houses collapsed, forcing the families to shift to temporary rehabilitation centre.