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Meet Jerzego sunillimaye: A new species of jumping spider discovered from Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai

Even as the biodiversity of Aarey Milk Colony continues to faces threats from all quarters, a team of three researchers have discovered a new species of jumping spider from Aarey. The team put in three years of dedicated research to document the entire life cycle to understand the natural history of this species.

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Even as the biodiversity of Aarey Milk Colony continues to faces threats from all quarters, a team of three researchers have discovered a new species of jumping spider from Aarey. The team put in three years of dedicated research to document the entire life cycle to understand the natural history of this species.

Mumbai based researchers, Rajesh Sanap, who specializes in diverse fields such as arachnology and herpatology, Anuradha Joglekar a biologist and Chennai based Dr John Caleb, an arachnologist decided to name the new species Jerzego sunillimaye to honour their friend Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Wildlife-East, Maharashtra Sunil Limaye, who has been involved in the conservation of urban biodiversity in Mumbai and the neighboring areas.

According to Sanap the fact that this is the only second species from the genus Jerzego to be found from India and the fourth from the world, makes the discovery of this spider species from Aarey even more special.

This species was found for the first time in 2016 while carrying out survey in the unique, eco-sensitive, dry-deciduous habitat of Aarey Milk Colony.

“During our research period we were able to report some very interesting observations, which were never documented before including the complete life cycle- from egg development to adult stage of this species as well as how the mother spider spends one month taking care of the babies,” informed Joglekar stating that during monsoon period it was also interesting to observe the females guarding their egg sacs, while males wandered under the rocks.

Jerzego sunillimaye can be easily distinguished from other known species by the larger body size (Females, 10.30 mm) and a different colour pattern on the abdomen. A transverse crescent shaped golden–yellow stripe is present in the posterior half of the abdomen. The males (5.52 mm) can be readily distinguished by their unique genitalia (palps) with a flattened and twisted embolus.

“Spiders are microhabitat specialists and are sensitive to sudden changes in their habitat, which makes them the ideal environment indicators. They are an integral component of the food web, and they primarily control insect populations,” added Dr Caleb sharing that they now plan to initiate study on its behavior pattern.

Sanap shared that Aarey has constantly been in the limelight for the discovery of several new species of spiders and scorpions. “Aarey is also home to several other enigmatic jumping spiders including Piranthus decorus which was recorded for the first time in 122 years from here. Habitat loss due to encroachment and degradation of forests are the main concern and the recent discovery of several new species from Aarey colony adds to the pressing need for conservation of this particular region, which may harbor many more undiscovered life forms,” he said.

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