Rare Fishing Spider Discovered in Kerala Streams, Highlights Ecosystem's Vital Role

• A new species of "fishing spider" has been discovered in the forest streams of Kerala, surprising arachnologists and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Unlike typical spiders, this species does not spin large webs but instead hunts fish by patiently waiting near water and striking with speed and accuracy.
• The discovery was made in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, by research intern Arjun Cherukutty and Jithu Unni Krishnan from the Kerala Forest Research Institute, with help from a citizen scientist.
• The spider uses its legs to sense ripples from moving fish, then dives to grab its prey with strong front legs, using venom to quickly subdue the catch.
• This greenish-brown spider, with hair-covered legs and abdomen for camouflage, has a unique genetic identity, confirming it as a new evolutionary group.

Why It Matters: A new fishing spider species in Kerala streams underscores the rich, undiscovered biodiversity of the Western Ghats.