By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 19: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have recently discovered a new species of jumping spider, Irura meghalaya, in the Ri-Bhoi district.
The discovery, published in the prestigious journal National Academy Science Letters, was led by Dr Souvik Sen and Dr Sudhin PP, under the guidance of ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee.
Named after the state of Meghalaya, where it was found, the species marks another significant addition to India’s known biodiversity. Just last month, the same ZSI research team also described new spider species from Meghalaya. The genus Irura includes small, wide-bodied jumping spiders that superficially resemble beetles and are primarily recorded from East and Southeast Asia.
“The discovery of this new Irura species — only the second report of the genus from India — highlights how little we know about Indian Irura,” said Dr Sen.
The genus likely harbors many more undescribed species in India, but their true diversity remains unclear due to limited sampling.
This remarkable finding underscores the ecological significance of Northeast India, part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot known for its extraordinary richness in flora and fauna.
The discovery not only adds to the growing list of India’s endemic species but also emphasizes the urgent need to conserve the fragile ecosystems of Northeast India. Such explorations continue to showcase the invaluable biodiversity of the region and the importance of sustained scientific research and conservation efforts.