The fact that this 5mm sized and vibrant coloured female has been living and breeding in human-dominated landscape inside Aarey has left the researchers fascinated
Despite several threats looming large on the biodiversity of Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai, it continues to spring new surprises. An Andheri based researcher- Rajesh Sanap who has been documenting biodiversity of Aarey, along with other researchers has discovered a female jumping spider Chrysilla volupe - 139 years after its male was discovered.
The fact that this 5mm sized and vibrant coloured female has been living and breeding in human-dominated landscape inside Aarey has left the researchers fascinated and in awe of this biodiversity hotspot. Jumping spiders as name suggest are known for their ability to jump long distances and their ability as great hunters.
The research on rediscovery was carried out by arachnologist Dr John Caleb, Rajesh Sanap, a naturalist who specializes in diverse fields such as Arachnology and Herpatology along with Kaushal Patel, Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin, Karunnappilli Nafin and Ambalaparambil Vasu Sudhikumar. The discovery was published on June 26 in ‘Arthropoda Selecta’ a Russian peer-reviewed journal.
Sanap who is a resident of Marol had photographed this female spider near the house of Imran Udat who owns a tabela and lived in Aarey during the 2015-16 surveys of Aarey Milk Colony. He informed that only the male from this species has been known for about 139 years, since its original description from Sri Lanka in 1879 and other parts of Indian sub-continent, but the females remained elusive till they began their work.
“After carefully studying its feature from the photographs, publications and discussion with Caleb we were sure that this was the female belonging to the species C. volupe and thus we began the long process of scientifically proving it,” said Sanap adding that in the present research paper the female of C. volupe has been described along with its corresponding male based on fresh material collected from different locations across India.
Highlighting one of the most important aspect of this discovery, Sanap shared that for the first time ever there has been a detailed documentation of the initial developmental stages of the eggs to adult development of the species.
Caleb stated that the study was carried out by a group of arachnologists with collections across various locations and inputs from other web-resources such as the India Biodiversity Portal. “It marks a new dimension of gathering biological information through citizen science initiative,” he said.
Aarey Milk Colony is also home to several other enigmatic jumping spiders. Researchers believe that the recent discovery of two new species of jumping spiders and two new records from Aarey only adds to the pressing need for conservation of this particular area, which may harbor many more undiscovered life forms.
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. “The conservation of these beautiful creatures along with their habitats should attract more attention to save all the interdependent species of this intricate web,” Sanap said.
About Jumping Spiders:
The jumping spiders comprise 13% of the global spider diversity and are recognized by the peculiar pattern of their eyes and have one of the best visions among arthropods. They also acquire the name because of their characteristic habit of hopping over long distances, facilitated by strong forelegs and are known for their excellent ability to hunt
AT A GLANCE
Discoveries from Aarey Milk Colony
New Species Discoveries
- 2017: Two new jumping spider from Aarey milk colony Langelurillus lacteus and Langelurillus onyx
- 2014: New species of tarantula from Aarey milk colony Hetrophrictus aareyensis
- 2012: New trap door spider from Aarey milk colony Idiops rubrolimbatus
AT A GLANCE
Re-discoveries from Aarey Colony
Here is the list
- 2018: A jumping spider species. Chryislla volpue is rediscovered after 139 year
- 2017: A jumping spider species Piranthus decorus was rediscovered from Aarey milk colony after 122 year
- 2013: A tarantula species Pleasiphrictus millardi rediscovered after 100 year
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2012: A trap door spider species Idiops bombayensis rediscovered from Aarey milk colony after 110 year
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2011: A robust trapdoor tarantula species Haploclastus validus rediscovered form Aarey milk colony after 110 year
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