Two New Jumping Spider Species Discovered in Western Ghats

In May, 2024, two new species of jumping spiders, Habrocestum benjamin and Habrocestum swaminathan, has been discovered in the forests of southern Western Ghats, potentially boosting conservation efforts.

Key Points

Significant Discovery: Arachnologists Athira Jose, John T D Caleb, and A V Sudhikumar identified two new species of jumping spiders in Kerala's forests.
New Species Identified: The species, Habrocestum benjamin and Habrocestum swaminathan, were found in Kozhikode and Palakkad, respectively.
Contribution to Taxonomy: These discoveries add to the existing 11 species under the genus Habrocestum recorded in the Indian peninsula.
Jumping Spiders' Traits: Jumping spiders are known for their exceptional vision and jumping ability, aiding in hunting and evasion.
Habitat Insights: Habrocestum benjamin was found in damp leaf litter, while Habrocestum swaminathan was seen near a stream in an evergreen forest.
Conservation Urgency: The restricted distribution of these species highlights the need for conservation in the Western Ghats to protect biodiversity.