Newly discovered Spider named after Telangana state

Newly discovered spiders of Thomisidae family have been named as Telangana crab spider (Thomisus telanganensis) i.e. after Indian state of Telangana.
These spiders were discovered by G.B. Pravalikha and Chelmala Srinivasulu, wildlife and taxonomy researchers from the Zoology Department of Osmania University at an expedition at Nagnur in Karimnagar district of Telangana.

Key facts Telangana crab spiders 

• Morphologically they resemble crabs and are hence also called crab spiders.
• Have tendency to walk sideways like crabs.
• They lie on flowering plants and wait for prey so they are also known as flower spiders.
• Do not weave webs like traditional spiders.
• They attack immobilise their prey with venom and prey all of a sudden.
• Size is between 3 mm and 23 mm.
• Colour varies from dull to bright and colourful.
• Generally are bio-controlling agents and help to keep the insect population under control. Thus are important to the ecosystem.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2015