ZSI researchers discover 4 spider species from NE

SHILLONG, April 24: A team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, has recently discovered four spider species from Northeast India—two of which are new to science, and two reported for the first time from the country.
These discoveries unveil the region’s rich yet underexplored arachnid diversity and highlight the importance of continued biodiversity research in one of the world’s most critical ecological hotspots.
The newly described species include Psechrus chizami, discovered in Nagaland, and Psechrus nathanael, found in both Nagaland and Meghalaya.
Psechrus chizami is named after its type locality, Chizami, while Psechrus nathanael is named in honour of Nathanael PA Newmai for his steadfast support during fieldwork.
With these additions, the number of known Psechrus species in India now stands at seven.
Spiders of this genus are known for building slightly dome-shaped sheet webs with tube-like retreats, usually in crevices, rock gaps, or under tree roots. These newly identified species can be distinguished from others in the genus based on their unique genital morphology. The discovery has been detailed in the latest issue of the journal Zootaxa.
In addition to these, the research team—comprising Dr. Souvik Sen, Dr. Sudhin PP, and Shouvik Mali—also recorded two other spider species, Pardosa tuberosa and Thiania abdominalis, from a relatively undisturbed area in Meghalaya.
These are reported for the first time from India, and the findings have been published in Records of the Zoological Survey of India.
The wolf spider Pardosa tuberosa is highly sensitive to environmental changes, and its declining population indicates habitat degradation, making it a valuable bio-indicator. The jumping spider Thiania abdominalis is medium-sized, with a light reddish-brown cephalothorax and a creamy yellow abdomen marked with bold black bands. Unlike web-builders, Thiania spiders rely on agility and sharp vision to hunt, playing a role in natural pest control.
“This is a significant discovery, not only because we found two new species and two new records, but also because it reflects the largely untapped potential for further biodiversity research in these areas. As we continue to explore these diverse ecosystems, we may uncover many more species that are yet to be documented,” said Dr. Souvik Sen, lead researcher of the study.
Commenting on the discovery, ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee said, “This discovery is just the beginning, and further surveys will be conducted in the unexplored corners of the Northeastern region as the biodiversity here is unparalleled. There is still a lot that is yet to be discovered. With continued investigation, the researchers hope to unravel the faunal mysteries that lurk amidst the forested hills of northeast India.”