Two new spider species discovered in Western Ghats

Researchers have uncovered two new spider species in the Western Ghats of India. One species was found in Amboli, Maharashtra, and is named Indothele amboli. The other species, Indothele silentvalley, was discovered in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala. The discoveries were made by a team from India and London, led by researchers from Christ College in Kerala and the Arachnology Research Association in London. Their findings were published in a scientific journal on Tuesday. The samples of I. amboli were collected in August 2023, while I. silentvalley samples were found in August 2024. Indothele amboli lives in hilly, forested areas and prefers moist ground burrows for shelter. Its habitat supports a unique lifestyle suited for hunting. On the other hand, Indothele silentvalley was discovered inside a dead tree log in a dense forest environment that provides ample decaying wood. Both species thrive in undisturbed forest areas, which makes them indicators of pristine environments. The researchers noted that these discoveries help clarify past misidentifications in the spider family Ischnothelidae. They believe the new species represent the rich and often overlooked biodiversity of the Western Ghats. The researchers also pointed out that these spiders are vulnerable due to their limited geographic ranges. While Silent Valley is a protected area, Amboli faces threats from tourism and urban development, which can harm their habitats. They emphasized the importance of conserving these unique microhabitats to ensure the survival of these species and others like them in the Western Ghats.