New species of jumping spiders

Source: The Hindu

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Context

• Two new species of jumping spiders, Habrocestum benjamin and Habrocestum swaminathan have been found in the southern Western Ghats of Kerala.

Details

Habrocestum benjamin:

• Location: Found in Thusharagiri, Kozhikode District, Kerala state, India.
• Habitat: This species was discovered in the substrate of—damp fallen leaves of a tropical rainforest.
• Behaviour: Sought to remain concealed inside shelters formed on small and low leaves by rolling the blade of those leaves.
• Significance: Among the new species, it places the new members of the genus Habrocestum in the Indian peninsula so that people can better understand the peculiarities of local species.
• Endemic: Some of the specific fauna present in the southern Western Ghats and helping underlining the importance of habitat conservation.

Habrocestum swaminathan:

• Location: Found in the Silent valley national park situated in Palakkad district of Kerala state.
• Habitat: Close to water sources around the national park.
• Endemic: Taxa specifically found in the southern region of the Western Ghats with emphasis on their characteristics.
• Conservation: Underlines protection of certain species and the regions where they are situated as the key goal of biodiversity conservation.

Sources:

The Hindu