Shillong, April 27: In a significant contribution to India’s biodiversity records, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, have documented four notable spider species from the northeastern region of the country. The discovery includes two species previously unknown to science and marks the first-ever record of two other species within India’s borders.
The newly described species, Psechrus chizami and Psechrus nathanael, belong to the Psechridae family, known for weaving distinctive dome-shaped sheet webs with tubular retreats typically found in crevices, rock fissures, or tree root systems. Psechrus chizami was discovered in Nagaland, its name derived from the locality of Chizami where it was first collected. Psechrus nathanael, recorded in both Nagaland and Meghalaya, is named in honour of Nathanael P A Newmai for his contributions to the field research.
With these additions, the total number of Psechrus species documented in India now stands at seven.
The research team, comprising Dr Souvik Sen, Dr Sudhin P P, and Shouvik Mali, also recorded the presence of two other species in Meghalaya: the wolf spider Pardosa tuberosa and the jumping spider Thiania abdominalis. While these species have been previously documented globally, this marks their first confirmed presence in India.
Notably, Pardosa tuberosa is recognised as a sensitive bioindicator species, with its population trends offering insights into environmental health and habitat stability. Its presence in a relatively undisturbed habitat underscores the ecological value of the surveyed areas.
Meanwhile, Thiania abdominalis, a medium-sized jumping spider distinguished by its light reddish-brown cephalothorax and creamy yellow abdomen with bold black bands, plays a crucial role in natural pest control, relying on speed and keen vision rather than webs to hunt prey.
“This discovery holds considerable significance, not only for identifying new species and national records but also for highlighting the immense, yet underexplored, biodiversity of Northeast India,” said Dr Souvik Sen, the principal investigator of the study. “Ongoing exploration of these ecologically rich regions promises to reveal many more species awaiting scientific documentation.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the Zoological Survey of India, remarked, “This is just the beginning. Comprehensive faunal surveys are planned for the future, particularly in the remote and forested highlands of the Northeast. The region’s biodiversity remains largely uncharted, and with continued research, we hope to uncover the intricate faunal diversity concealed within these landscapes.”
The findings underline the growing importance of systematic biodiversity surveys in Northeast India, a region globally recognised for its ecological wealth and conservation value.
