Discovery of Two New Epidelaxia Jumping Spiders in Western Ghats
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Geographic Range of Epidelaxia: BEFORE: The genus was believed to be strictly endemic to Sri Lanka and a few other Asian islands. NOW: Its documented range officially includes mainland India, specifically within the Western Ghats.
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Biodiversity Checklist of India: BEFORE: Epidelaxia falciformis and Epidelaxia palustris were undiscovered and unknown to science. NOW: They are officially classified, characterised by unique traits like a prominent yellow triangular mark on the prosoma of the females.
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Ecological Profile of Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary: BEFORE: The known arachnid diversity of the sanctuary lacked records of the Epidelaxia genus. NOW: The sanctuary is recognized as a critical habitat supporting highly adapted jumping spiders that link Indian and Sri Lankan ecology.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Consider the following statements regarding the recently discovered Epidelaxia falciformis and Epidelaxia palustris: 1. They are newly discovered jumping spider species found in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats. 2. Their discovery marks the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India, which was previously thought to be endemic to Sri Lanka. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?