New Jumping Spider Species

April 8, 2023

In early 2022, a research team was located in Meghalaya, a state in Northeast India, for over three months. The team, consisting of scientists and researchers, embarked on a mission to discover new species of spiders. The team’s hard work paid off, and they discovered several new species of jumping spiders.

The Discovery of New Jumping Spider Species

The research team discovered three previously undiscovered species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya. The species were found in the districts of South Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills. The team identified the species and published their findings in the scientific journal, PECKHAMIA. One of the discovered species, Habrocestum togansangmai, was named after Togan Nengminza Sangma, a Garo freedom fighter. Another species, Habrocestum emanasakgrensis, was named after the village in which it was discovered.

The team also discovered a new genus of jumping spider, Habrocestum, which was named after its discovery in Meghalaya. Habrocestum imilchang was found below the Imilchang waterfall in South Garo Hills.

The Researchers and Their Contributions

The research team consisted of several scientists and researchers, each of whom made significant contributions to the discovery of new spider species. Rishikesh Tripathi, who is pursuing his PhD on Thar Desert spiders, was part of the research team. Gautam Kadam, an independent researcher on spiders of Northeast India and Western Ghats, also joined the team. Professor Ambalaparambil V. Sudhikumar was another member of the research team who contributed to the discovery.

The research team also discovered a new genus of Selenopid spider, which was named after Garo Hills. The team published their findings in the international journal, Zootaxa.

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