Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Context: Researchers from University of Kerala have discovered two new species of jumping spiders from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, marking the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India.
• The species, Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov. and Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov., extend the known range of the genus beyond Sri Lanka, enhancing the biodiversity records of the Western Ghats.
About Newly Identified Jumping Spider Species:
• What are they? These belong to the Epidelaxia genus, a group of jumping spiders previously believed to be endemic to Sri Lanka. Discovered in Kulathupuzha, Kollam.
• These belong to the Epidelaxia genus, a group of jumping spiders previously believed to be endemic to Sri Lanka.
• Discovered in Kulathupuzha, Kollam.
• Names & Classification: Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov. Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov.
• Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov.
• Epidelaxia palustris sp. nov.
• Unique Features: falciformis: Males have brown carapace with a yellow stripe, and females exhibit a yellow triangular-shaped marking on the prosoma. palustris: Males have pale brown bands on the sides, and females have white orbital setae (hairs) around their eyes. Adaptation: Highly specialized for survival in dense foliage of Western Ghats.
• falciformis: Males have brown carapace with a yellow stripe, and females exhibit a yellow triangular-shaped marking on the prosoma.
• palustris: Males have pale brown bands on the sides, and females have white orbital setae (hairs) around their eyes.
• Adaptation: Highly specialized for survival in dense foliage of Western Ghats.
About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary:
• Location: Located in Kollam district, Kerala, under Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. Declared a wildlife sanctuary on August 25, 1984, covering 4 sq. km. Encompasses Thenmala Dam reservoir (~18.69 sq. km).
• Located in Kollam district, Kerala, under Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
• Declared a wildlife sanctuary on August 25, 1984, covering 4 sq. km.
• Encompasses Thenmala Dam reservoir (~18.69 sq. km).
• Major Flora & Fauna: Flora: Tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, home to 1,257 flowering plant species, with 309 endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Flora: Tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, home to 1,257 flowering plant species, with 309 endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Fauna:
• Mammals – Lion-tailed macaque (endangered), Indian bison, Malabar giant squirrel. Birds – 267 species, including the Great Eared Nightjar, first recorded in Kerala here.
• Mammals – Lion-tailed macaque (endangered), Indian bison, Malabar giant squirrel.
• Birds – 267 species, including the Great Eared Nightjar, first recorded in Kerala here.
• Rivers & Unique Aspects: Rivers: Mansar & Manhar flow through the sanctuary. Unique Aspects:
• Rivers: Mansar & Manhar flow through the sanctuary.
• Unique Aspects:
• First eco-tourism project in India (Thenmala Eco-Tourism). No sandalwood trees, a rare characteristic among Kerala’s forests.
• First eco-tourism project in India (Thenmala Eco-Tourism). No sandalwood trees, a rare characteristic among Kerala’s forests.
• First eco-tourism project in India (Thenmala Eco-Tourism).
• No sandalwood trees, a rare characteristic among Kerala’s forests.