First Record of Araneus nox in India Discovered at Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

A recent monsoon survey at the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala has resulted in the first-ever record of the spider species Araneus nox in India.

• Global Distribution: Prior to this finding, Araneus nox was known only from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• Scientific Background:
  • The species was first described in 1877 by French arachnologist Eugène Simon from Basilan in the Philippines.
  • It belongs to the orb-weaver family, known for spinning near-perfect, vertically oriented circular webs on vegetation and tree branches.
• Observation Details: During the survey, Araneus nox individuals were observed at heights ranging from waist level to about 7 feet above the ground.
• Unique Finding: This discovery is particularly significant, as only female specimens of Araneus nox had been recorded in other countries.
  • For the first time, both male and female spiders of this species have been identified from India.
• Significance: The finding expands the known geographical range of Araneus nox and underscores the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, emphasizing the importance of continued faunal surveys and habitat conservation in the region.

(Source: TH)