Why in the news?

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have found a new species of wolf spider in the Sundarbans.

• The spider was discovered on Sagar Island, the largest island in the delta.

• This is the first known occurrence of the genus Piratula in India.

• The discovery expands our understanding of spider diversity in India.

Important Information about the Species

• Scientific Name: Piratula acuminata

• Common Name: Wolf spider

• Genus: Piratula

  • India’s first recorded instance

  • Primarily found in Asia

  • Has a restricted distribution in North America and Europe

• Family: Lycosidae (wolf spiders)

• Dimensions:

  • Medium-sized

  • About 8 to 10 millimetres long

• Look:

  • Pale creamy white body colour

• Markings:

  • Brown and chalk-white spots on the abdomen

  • Two distinctive light brown stripes

• Identification:

  • Recognised by the unique structural details of its genitalia

  • This is a crucial diagnostic characteristic in arachnology

Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae Family)

• Habitat and Hunting Style:

  • Ground-dwelling nimble predators

  • Hunt by active pursuit or ambush

  • Do not weave webs

• Diet:

  • Feed on small insects and other arthropods

• Ecological Role:

  • Help maintain ecological balance

  • Play a role in managing insect populations

Location of Discovery: Sagar Island in the Sundarbans

• Geographic Significance:

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Largest island in the Sundarbans delta

  • Formed by alluvial deposits from the Ganga River

• Ecological Features:

  • Includes mudflats, estuarine waters, and dense mangrove ecosystems

  • Supports a wide variety of plants and animals adapted to salty and tidal environments

• Biodiversity Importance:

  • Home to many endemic and endangered species

  • Highlights the ecological richness of the area

Significance of the Discovery

• Biodiversity Documentation:

  • Adds to India’s recorded spider diversity

  • Highlights unexplored faunal richness in the Sundarbans

• Indicator of Ecosystem Health:

  • Shows the Sundarbans is a hotspot for ecological research

• Conservation Relevance:

  • Provides baseline data for conservation planning

  • Especially important for protecting fragile deltaic ecosystems.