Phrynarachne decipiens || bird-dropping spider || IAS

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Context:

The Spider Phrynarachne decipiens, mimicking bird excreta were found in Assam.

Phrynarachne decipiens

It is known as the bird-dropping spider.
It is a species of tropical crab spider mostly found in Malaysia and Indonesia.
It mimics a bird dropping in its appearance and the way it behaves.
The underside of its abdomen is chalky white and its legs black.
It has been recorded for the first time in Assam’s Sonapur in the Kamrup district and the Chirang Reserve Forest in the Kokrajhar district.

Mimicking feature:

The bird-dropping spider is a master of deception.
It crouches stationary on a leaf or other level surface and exhibits an elaborate combination of form and colour.
Its posture adopts the character of its web so as to accurately simulate a patch of bird's excreta.

Species:

Phrynarachne consists of 35 species out of which three – P. ceylonica, P. ceeliana, and P. Tuberosa – was found in Assam.

Stout spermathecae:

The spider has the stout spermathecae, which is a sac-like organ in the female reproductive tract that stores sperm received during copulation.

Arachnids

●The term arachnid refers to a class of animals that includes spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks.

●Most arachnids have a segmented body divided into two regions, with the front part bearing four pairs of legs, but no antennae.

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/spider-mimicking-bird-excreta-found-in-assam/article68593414.ece

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnid

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about bird-dropping spider, Phrynarachne decipiens, recently seen in news:

1. It is majorly found in Malaysia and Indonesia.

2. It is found across western ghats in India.

3. It has over 35 species and all of them are prevalent in India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A)Only one

B)Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Also known as the bird-dropping spider, Phrynarachne decipiens is a species of tropical crab spider from Malaysia and Indonesia.

● It mimics a bird dropping in its appearance and the way it behaves.

● The underside of its abdomen is chalky white and its legs black.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

●It has been recorded for the first time in the country from Assam’s Sonapur in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district and the Chirang Reserve Forest in the Kokrajhar district.

Mimicking feature:

●The bird-dropping spider is a master of deception.

●It crouches stationary on a leaf or other level surface and exhibits an elaborate combination of form and colour, the posture it adopts and the character of its web so as to accurately simulate a patch of bird's excreta.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

●Phrynarachne consists of 35 species out of which three – P. ceylonica, P. ceeliana, and P. Tuberosa – was found in Assam.

Phrynarachne Decipiens

Context: