Arachnologists from the Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, have rediscovered two rare species of spiders on their college campus after over a century.
The first species discovered, Micropholcus fauroti, is a member of the long-legged spider family Pholcidae. It was first reported in 1887 from the African country Djibouti by the renowned French arachnologist Dr. Eugène Louis Simon. Now, a team of researchers from the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE), associated with the Christ College, rediscovered the species after over 134 years, says Sudhikumar A.V., Head of the Department of Zoology.
“This tiny spider measures only 2 mm long. It possesses eight minute shiny eyes arranged in four groups. The pale-yellow body is marked with white spots. It has very fragile long legs and builds irregular cobwebs under green leaves. Female spiders lay white bead-like eggs encapsulated in spider silk threads and carry them in their mouth,” says Mr. Sudhikumar.
