New Spider Species Discovered in Western Ghats

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Context

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, has discovered two new species of spiders from the southern Western Ghats which is a biodiversity hotspot.

Species: Mimetus spinatus

Species Name	*Mimetus spinatus*
Family	Mimetidae (Pirate or Cannibal Spiders).
Discovery Location	Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka.
Physical Characteristics	Medium size, pale yellow head, dull grey-white abdomen, scattered light green mottling, long black flattened spine-like hairs on the dorsal head.
Significance	Marks the report of the genus Mimetus after 118 years of the discovery of Mimetus indicus from India. (Mimetus is a genus of pirate spiders in the family Mimetidae. They are found worldwide).
Published In	Zootaxa
Role of Western Ghats	Crucial in climatic conditions; High levels of endemism; Important for continued exploration and conservation efforts.

Species: Mimetus parvulus

Species Name	*Mimetus parvulus*
Family	Mimetidae (Pirate or Cannibal Spiders)
Discovery Location	Ernakulam district, Kerala
Physical Characteristics	Pale creamy-rose head, dense grey-black mottling, triangular-shaped dull grey-white abdomen.
Significance	Marks the report of the genus Mimetus after 118 years of the discovery of Mimetus indicus from India.
Published In	Zootaxa
Role of Western Ghats	Crucial in climatic conditions; High levels of endemism; Important for continued exploration and conservation efforts

Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Karnataka. This is specially in the Western Ghats' Udupi district.
Rivers: Perennial Chakra and Sowparnika rivers rivers flow through the sanctuary.
Flora: Includes west coast tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, and dry grasslands.
Fauna: Tigers, leopards, dhole, jackals, sloth bears, wild boars, porcupines, sambar, spotted deer, muntjac, mouse deer, gaur, hares, macaques, flying squirrels, king cobras, pythons, and various birds.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) was founded in 1916 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is a premier organization in zoological research and studies, aiming to promote the survey, exploration, and research of the fauna in the country.

The history of ZSI traces back to the days of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded by Sir William Jones in 1784. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was the mother institution to both the Zoological Survey of India and the Geological Survey of India.

Thomas Nelson Annandale achieved his aim in establishing the Zoological Survey of India and became its founder director.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1.Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala.

2.Perennial Chakra and Sowparnika rivers flow through the sanctuary.

3.Recently, there were reports of the genus Mimetus from this sanctuary after 118 years of the discovery of Mimetus indicus from India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All

Answer: C) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Karnataka.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct.

SOURCE: millenniumpost