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Spartaeus and Sonoita
June 20 , 2025
17 hrs 0 min
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- Researchers have identified a new species of jumping spiders of the Spartaeinae subfamily in southern India.
- They are known for their intelligent hunting skills and web-invasion tactics.
- This discovery possibly marks the first time that the genera previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been found 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.
- More specimens were also discovered in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district.
- The study also resolved a longstanding taxonomic confusion.
- The species Marpissa gangasagarensis was described in 2005 from Gangasagar, West Bengal.
- It was confirmed to be the same as Phaeacius fimbriatus, a species first described in 1900, following careful examination of historical museum specimen.
- With these findings, India’s spider fauna under the Spartaeinae subfamily has also grown to 15 species across 10 genera.
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