Ligdus Garvale

17.05.2024

Ligdus Garvale

Why in the news?

            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.

About Ligdus Garvale:

• It 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.

What are Jumping Spiders?

• They 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.

Features:

• Though there are a few species that have hairy bodies, most species have few hairs (setae).
• The body is often brightly coloured or strikingly patterned.
• They have impressive eyesight. These arachnids always have four pairs of eyes, including a large, forward-facing principal pair.
• They are diurnal, and most jumping spiders are solitary.

                                                          Source: The Times of India

Q - What is ‘Ligdus garvale’, recently seen in the news?

A.A type of medicinal herb found in the Himalayas.

B.A pioneering environmental conservation project.

C.A rare geological formation discovered in northeast India.

D.A new species of jumping spider.

Answer D