Money spider, ant-mimicking spider discovered at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

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What is the News?

Money spiders, commonly found in European meadows, have been reported for the first time in the country from the Muthanga range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Similarly, researchers have also discovered ant-mimicking spiders.

What are Money spiders?

Money Spider belongs to the family of dwarf spiders ( Linyphiidae) under the genus Prosoponoides. It has been given the name Prosoponoides biflectogynus.

Characteristics: The male and the female money spiders are typically 3 mm and 4 mm long respectively.

Females build triangular webs in between dry tree twigs and feed on small insects, while males prefer to hide beneath dry leaves. Two or more male spiders can be found in the web of a single female.

Both sexes are dark brown and have irregular silver patches and black spots on the elliptical abdomen.

There are numerous fine black spines on their olive green legs. Eight dark eyes are arranged in two rows.

Significance of the discovery: Only six species of spiders belonging to this genus have been identified from across the world so far.

It is the first report of this genus from India. Hence, there might be more such findings in future.

What are Ant-mimicking Spiders?

These belongs to the group of jumping spiders, from the Mananthavady range. They belong to the family of Salticidae. Only three species of this genus have been reported from India, and this is the first species reported from the Western Ghats.

Characteristics: They perfectly mimic ants by lifting their front pair of legs while walking as a mechanism to escape from potential predators. The forward-projecting fangs have a characteristic shape of an antler.

The male and the female spiders of this species grow up to 4 mm and 6 mm long respectively.

A pair of white stripes on the dark brown abdomen of females makes them distinct from other spiders in this group.

The male of the species is characterised by a brown cephalic region and black thorax with white hairs. Long spines are present on the base of each leg.

Source: The post is based on the article “Money spider, ant-mimicking spider discovered at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary” published in The Hindu on 24th May 2022.