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Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists documented two new spider species — Simonia lawbah and Hamataliwa papikonda — from Meghalaya and Andhra Pradesh respectively.
Simonia lawbah, found in Krem Lawbah Cave (Meghalaya), is a sub-2mm cave-dwelling ray spider marking the first Indian record of the genus Simonia, notable for its cone-shaped 'ray web'.
Hamataliwa papikonda, recorded in Papikonda National Park (Andhra Pradesh), is a sub-5mm lynx spider and the first documented Hamataliwa species in the state, hunting via speed and agility rather than web-building.
| Feature | Simonia lawbah | Hamataliwa papikonda |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Cave (Krem Lawbah, Meghalaya) | Forest canopy (Papikonda NP, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Size | Under 2 mm | Under 5 mm |
| Hunting method | Cone-shaped 'ray web' slingshot trap | Active predator; speed, agility, spiny legs |
| Family | Theridiosomatidae (ray spiders) | Oxyopidae (lynx spiders) |
An organism that thrives in cave environments while retaining the ability to survive outside them under suitable conditions — distinct from a troglobite, which cannot survive outside caves at all.
Simple Analogy: A troglophile is like a species that 'prefers' cave life but isn't trapped there, unlike a troglobite that has evolved to depend entirely on the cave environment.
GS Paper III - Environment (Biodiversity, new species discoveries)
Which of the following statements is/are correct? Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to 1. protection of biodiversity 2. resilience of forest ecosystems 3. poverty reduction Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
Answer: Valley of Flowers National Park
The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the:
Answer: Creation of mini forests in urban areas
India's premier taxonomic research organisation, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change