New trapdoor spider species Titanidiops kolhapurensis discovered in Maharashtra

Key facts

• A new species of trapdoor spider, named Titanidiops kolhapurensis, has been discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
• The discovery was made by a joint research team from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK).
• The findings were published in the Journal of Natural History, an international research publication based in the United Kingdom (UK).
• The spider is nicknamed darkari koli in Marathi because of its unique ability to craft hinged doors for its burrows.
• The species was classified under the Titanidiops genus based on its specific tooth structure and the arrangement of its eight eyes.
• The spider has been recorded in specific locations including the SUK campus, Shenda Park, Kolhapur Chitranagari area, and Puikhadi hill.
• Researchers found the species is absent in areas overtaken by exotic tree plantations such as Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as Undirmari.
• The research team included Satpal Gangalmale, Sunil Gaikwad, Tejas Thackeray, and Akshay Khandekar.