Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar:
Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently identified two new species of jumping spiders, Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar, in the forested terrains of the Northeast.
- These are two new species of jumping spiders discovered in Meghalaya.
- Both species belong to the Salticidae family, the tribe of “jumping spiders” known for their sharp vision, rapid reflexes and predatory precision.
- Unlike traditional web-weavers, these spiders stalk their prey with stealth before springing in a split-second leap.
- Asemonea dentis:
- Only the third Indian species identified under the Asemonea genus, a group that remains sparsely documented in the country.
- The species is named ‘dentis’ for a distinctive tooth-like projection on the male’s palpal femur.
- Colyttus nongwar:
- It is the second Indian member of the little-known Oriental genus Colyttus.
- It draws its name from Nongwar, the Khasi Hills village where it was documented.
