Four New Tarantula Species Discovered in Western Ghats

January 17, 2025

Recent research has revealed four new tarantula species, including a new genus, from India’s Western Ghats. This region, rich in biodiversity, is home to over 60 tarantula species, yet many people remain unaware of their existence. The discoveries highlight the ecological significance of these spiders and the urgent need for conservation measures.

Habitat and Behaviors

Tarantulas live in tree hollows, along streams, forest paths, and shola forest patches surrounded by tea plantations.
Females exhibit unique behaviors like carrying egg sacs under their mouthparts and creating hammock-like web structures to protect their eggs.
Examples of newly discovered species:
- Haploclastus bratocolonus (“tree dweller”): Found in hollow trees along rivers.
- Haploclastus montanus: Lives at elevations above 2,000 meters, making it one of the highest-living tarantulas in the region.

About Cilantica

It is named after the Tamil word for spider
Cilantica is identified by its unique pattern of curved bristles, differing from other tarantulas.

Ecological Importance:

Tarantulas play a key role as biological pest controllers, preying on smaller invertebrates and vertebrates.
They are keystone species and indicators of undisturbed habitats.
They also form part of the diet for spider wasps and small carnivores.

Threats to Tarantulas:

Illegal Pet Trade:
- 25% of tarantula species described since 2000 have entered the international pet trade.
- Rare species often appear for sale online shortly after scientific description (e.g., Haploclastus devamatha from Kerala was sold online within eight months of discovery).
- Over 73% of traded arachnid species are not monitored by international trade systems.
Challenges in Detection:
- Tarantulas are hard to detect in smuggling due to their lack of bones, making X-ray screening ineffective.
Vulnerability:
- Tarantulas have slow reproduction rates and long lifespans (10–20+ years).
- Many species are endemic to small areas, making them highly susceptible to overcollection.

Conservation Efforts

Tarantulas could serve as flagship species for invertebrate conservation in the Western Ghats.
Conservation challenges include habitat destruction, deforestation, agriculture, and climate change.
Experts suggest several solutions:
- Train customs and airport security to detect smuggled tarantulas, possibly using sniffer dogs.
- Encourage reporting of illegal collection by local communities.
- Promote responsible pet ownership, ensuring tarantulas are captive-bred and not sourced illegally.

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