Discovery of New Jumping Spider Species

In March 2025, a significant discovery was made by researchers involving the University of Kerala.

Epidelaxia palustris and New Species Discovery

• Two new species of jumping spiders, belonging to the genus Epidelaxia, were discovered in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.
• This marks the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India, previously thought to be endemic to Sri Lanka.

Research Collaboration

• Researchers involved include: 
  1. Asima A. and G. Prasad from the Department of Zoology, University of Kerala
  2. John T.D. Caleb from Saveetha Medical College & Hospitals, Chennai
  3. Mathew M.J. from the Centre for Arachnology Research, Bharata Mata College, Kochi
• Findings published in the February 2025 issue of Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed journal.

Species Characteristics and Habitat

• The two new species are named Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov. and Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov.
• Field expeditions took place in Kulathupuzha, Kollam in December 2022 and April 2023.
• Distinctive features include: 
  1. Females have a prominent yellow triangular-shaped mark on the prosoma.
  2. Unique copulatory organ traits in both males and females.
• Coloration: 
  1. E. falciformis: Males have a brown carapace with a yellow-brown stripe.
  2. E. palustris: Males have a pale brown band along their bodies. Females have white orbital setae around their eyes.
• Size: 
  1. E. falciformis: Males measure 4.39 mm.
  2. E. palustris: Males measure 4.57 mm; females measure 3.69 mm.
• These spiders are highly adapted to the dense foliage of the Western Ghats.