Context:
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered two new species of spiders named Mimetus spinatus and Mimetus parvulus from the southern Western Ghats.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Mimetus Spinatus and Mimetus Parvulus
- Mimetus spinatus was found in the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, while Mimetus parvulus was collected from Ernakulam district in Kerala.
- Both species belong to the Mimetidae family, known for their predatory behavior akin to pirates or cannibals of the spider world.
- These spiders are adept at infiltrating the webs of other spiders, where they mimic vibrations to deceive and prey on the resident spiders.
Distinctive Features
- Mimetus Spinatus:
- Appearance: Medium-sized with a pale yellow head and a dull grey-white abdomen featuring scattered light green mottling.
- Notable Characteristics: Named for its distinctive long, black, flattened spine-like hairs on its dorsal head.
- Mimetus Parvulus:
- Appearance: Noted for its pale creamy-rose head with dense grey-black mottling and a triangular-shaped, dull grey-white abdomen.
Significance of Discovery
- This discovery marks the first report of new Mimetus species after 118 years since the last recorded species, Mimetus indicus, in India.
- The addition of these species increases the known diversity of Mimetus in India to three, highlighting the ecological richness of the Southern Western Ghats.
-Source: Indian Express
