In News:

A biodiversity exploration team working in the Western Ghats has discovered a new spider species, Pilia malenadu, marking a major addition to India’s arachnid diversity. The finding is notable because species belonging to the genus Pilia were last reported more than 123 years ago (1902) from Kerala.

About Pilia malenadu

• Pilia malenadu is a newly identified jumping spider belonging to the genus Pilia (Family: Salticidae).
• Location of Discovery:
  • Found at Madhugundi, in Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka.
  • The site lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.
• Etymology:
  • The species is named “malenadu” to honour the local region (Malenadu/Malnad).
• Scientific Importance:
  • First recorded species of Pilia since 1902.
  • First time both male and female specimens of a Pilia species have been documented.

Habitat Specificity

• The species demonstrates high microhabitat specialization.
• Observed only on two plant species:
  • Memecylon umbellatum
  • Memecylon malabaricum
• Spiders were found concealed between the leaves of these plants, indicating a narrow ecological niche.

Conservation Implications

• The study highlights that Pilia malenadu is strictly habitat-specific.
• Loss or alteration of its host plant species or habitat could threaten the survival of this newly discovered spider.
• Underscores the need for habitat-level conservation in the Western Ghats, particularly in lesser-studied microhabitats.