2 weeks Ago
Pune: Researchers have found a new species of jumping spider on Baner hill, yet again highlighting the region's rich biodiversity and the need to protect the city's natural landscapes. The spider has been named Okinawicius tekdi , after the Marathi word for hill, and takes the number of jumping spiders in India to 326. The researchers observed the spider on ficus and plumeria trees — common on Baner hill — and documented its behaviour and habitat between Jan and April before confirming it as a new species.
A spider species was last discovered in Pune over 30 years ago. The species was first described by Atharva Kulkarni, an MSc student in environmental science from MIT-World Peace University in Pune, and Rishikesh Tripathi from Christ College in Kerala. They were guided by MIT-WPU's Dr Pankaj Koparde and Christ College's Dr AV Sudhikumar.
Their study was published in the Journal of Arachnology, an international peer-reviewed journal, on Monday. "We are thrilled to have discovered Okinawicius tekdi," said Kulkarni. "The species is closer to O.
takarensis but has significant morphological differentiation. It was observed on trees with thick branches and dense foliage, specifically Plumeria, Ficus, and Morinda. We also found it at the Ram-Mula confluence area recently, having a similar habitat.
" This discovery brings renewed attention to the richness of urban biodiversity in India and underlines the importance of preserving urban green spaces that support a variety of flora and fauna. "We believe O. tekdi can become an emblem of Baner hill and other green spaces in Pune.
We hope this discovery encourages people to look at urban hills and forests with a renewed sense of pride and responsibility. The discovery underscores the need for policies that protect urban biodiversity from threats posed by habitat loss and degradation and calls for immediate conservation action," said Dr Koparde. Tripathi said that these spiders were essential for insect diversity.
"We would need to plant only native trees to preserve them," he said, and added: "Any form of disturbing activity such as degradation and loss of hills, or planting exotic species of trees would break their habitat and lead to eventual decline." The team is now working on further studies to understand the role O. tekdi and other indigenous species play in their ecosystem.
They hope to publish a detailed paper on their findings, shedding light on the ecological impact and adaptations of this unique spider..
