Chrysilla volupe spiders

Context

• Rare Chrysilla volupe spiders discovered at Puttenahalli lake.

About Chrysilla volupe spiders:

The Chrysilla volupe was believed to be extinct for 150 years, until it was discovered at the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS

• The spider belongs to the family of jumping spiders (Salticidae) and scientifically named Chrysilla volupe.
• Male spiders are 5.44 mm long including stretched legs and 1.76 mm wide.
• They have a carapace in reddish orange colour with two iridescent blue stripes, stated PNLIT in the release.
• Females measure 2.61 mm long and 0.88 mm wide, and have a greyish carapace with grey eyebrows with all legs yellow in colour.

About Puttenahalli lake

• It is a small, restored freshwater lake located in
• The primary water sources are rain and surface water diverted to the lake through channels.
• The lake is currently maintained by Puttenahalli Neighbourhood Lake Improvement Trust (PNLIT) .
• The lake was on the brink of extinction, but due to the efforts of PNLIT, is now a haven for bird-watchers and on its way to being completely restored.

About The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India.
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in
• Established in 1973, the sanctuary is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• It is bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.
• It is part of the Deccan Plateau and the vegetation is predominantly of the south Indian moist deciduous teak forests.
• Wayanad district has the largest population of Adivasi in Kerala. Scheduled tribes here include Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyans, Kurichiyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans.
• The sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/rare-chrysilla-volupe-spiders-discovered-at-puttenahalli-lake/article35456761.ece?homepage=true