Ligdus Garvale : New Spider Species
A team of naturalists recently documented a new spider species named ‘Ligdus Garvale’ from Garvale, a village nestled in the Somwarpet taluk of the Kodagu district, Karnataka.
- Ligdus Garvale is a new species of jumping spider. It marks only the second recorded instance of the Ligdus genus in 129 years.
- It was found in Garvale village of the Kodagu district, Karnataka, which is surrounded by agroforestry, with coffee plantations being prominent along with pepper and paddy fields.
- It was discovered under the leaf of a torch ginger plant and bears a resemblance to Pseudoscorpions.
- Due to its nature as a high canopy jumper, it often goes unnoticed and constructs a double-layered web for retreat.
- Jumping spiders are the largest family of spiders, with more than 6,380 species (family Salticidae). They are known for their ability to jump and pounce upon their prey.
- They are very common in the tropics, but some also live in northern and even Arctic regions.
