In yet another feather in the cap for Mumbai-based Rajesh Sanap (27) and Zeeshan Mirza (27), researchers from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, the duo has discovered the largest trapdoor spider in South Western Ghats of Kerala.
"We found the new species Heligmomerus maximus (belonging to genus Heligmomerus, family Idiopidae and named 'maximus' due to its large size) on mud escarpments, leading to Agasthyamalai peak in Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary during surveys of the Tarantula project, funded by the Rufford Small Grant (UK) and Department of Science and Technology (India) in December 2013. The work has recently been published in the journal of Asia-pacific Biodiversity," said Sanap. He said that on an average trapdoor spiders reach a total length of one to two centimetres, but the new species measures a whopping 3.3 cm and yet the depth of its burrow is shallow, measuring only 10cm.
Trapdoor spiders are widespread, but least documented given that they are almost impossible to detect. They are considered primitive and most species are obligate burrow dwellers. Trapdoor spiders cover their burrow with a lid-like hinged door made of the surrounding material, which helps them make their burrows undetectable.
"Western Ghats is a known biodiversity hotspot but the invertebrate fauna of this region is poorly documented," said Mirza. He added that the diversity of the trapdoor spider species is much higher than checklists indicate and dedicated surveys will result in discovery of numerous new species as has been seen recently.
Sanap and Mirza, who are residents of Marol, have together described 25 new species, which include scorpions, spiders and geckos. "During our Kerala survey several more species were found and work is in progress," added Mirza. The duo has bagged notable awards like the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Service award and Young Naturalist Award.
L-R: Zeeshan Mirza and Rajesh Sanap
Zeeshan Mirza and Rajesh Sanap were also part of a team of researchers that discovered new species of gecko Cnemaspis girii from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra in 2013. The species was named after herpetologist Dr Varad Giri. They also discovered a new species of gecko Hemidactylus acanthopholis that resembles a lizard from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. In addition to this, they have identified rare fauna at Aarey milk colony
