Context:
• Biodiversity researchers working in the Western Ghats recorded a new species of jumping spider belonging to the Pilia genus at Madhuguni village of Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka).
• The species is named “Pilia malendu” — after the region Malenadu.
• Research published in Zootaxa (international journal).
Key Highlights:
Scientific Findings
• Pilia genus → earlier last recorded 1902 (≈123 years ago) → in Kerala.
• Researchers for first time recorded both male + female individuals of Pilia.
• 24 individuals → 17 males, 3 females, 4 juveniles.
• One specimen was spotted on a pond reedtail — a damselfly endemic to Western Ghats.
• Species detected in very specific habitat — tail-end foothills of Western Ghats.
Healthy Ecosystem Significance
• Presence of this new species → indicator of intact microhabitats of foothill Ghats ecosystem.
• Only 2 known Pilia species in India till now:
– Mencylonom umbrellarum
– Mencylonom malabaricum
• Habitat-specific: loss of habitat → loss of species.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Western Ghats – UNESCO WHS – global biodiversity hotspot.
• Zootaxa – peer-reviewed journal for animal taxonomy.
• Bioindicators – Jumping spiders important for arthropod food chain regulation.
• India jumping spiders → family Salticidae.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Biodiversity conservation requires micro-habitat mapping, not only megafauna focus.
• Local ecology naming of species → ensures community connect + ethnobiology.
• Threats: land-use change, tourism pressure, pesticide run-off, waterbody shrinkage.