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Research Article
Two new Stenaelurillus species (Araneae, Salticidae, Aelurillina) from Western Ghats, India
expand article infoPuthoor Pattammal Sudhin‡, Souvik Sen‡, John T. D. Caleb§
‡ Zoological Survey of India, Prani Vigyan Bhawan, Kolkata, India
§ Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

Corresponding author: Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin ( sudhinpp@gmail.com )

Academic editor: Danilo Harms
© 2023 Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin, Souvik Sen, John T. D. Caleb.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation: Sudhin PP, Sen S, Caleb JTD (2023) Two new Stenaelurillus species (Araneae, Salticidae, Aelurillina) from Western Ghats, India. Zoosystematics and Evolution 99(1): 123-133. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.99.97985
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C5B91980-5B33-442D-B4BE-B0D24DF5781F
Open Access

Abstract

Two new species – Stenaelurillus megamalai sp. nov. (♂♀) from the colorful group and Stenaelurillus neyyar sp. nov. (♂♀) from the black and white group – are described from the southern Western Ghats of India. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, as well as the distribution maps are provided. New distributional data for three other species, Stenaelurillus albus Sebastian, Sankaran, Malamel & Joseph, 2015, S. arambagensis (Biswas & Biswas, 1992) and S. wandae Logunov, 2020 are also provided.

Key Words

Jumping spider, Kerala, species discovery, Tamil Nadu, taxonomy

Introduction

Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886, is a diverse genus within Salticidae Blackwall, 1841, that includes 53 described species (World Spider Catalog 2023). The genus belongs to the subtribe Aelurillina of the tribe Aelurillini in the subfamily Salticinae (Maddison 2015). They are ground-dwelling, small to medium-sized, dark-colored, and hairy-bodied spiders (Wesołowska 2014; Logunov and Azarkina 2018), found in the Afrotropical, Madagascan, and Indo-Malayan regions of the world (Marathe et al. 2022). The genus has 14 species reported from India (Caleb and Sankaran 2023), sorted into two groups based on their distinctive coloration (Marathe et al. 2022). While examining the spiders collected during the field surveys in the southern Western Ghats of India, two undescribed jumping spiders belonging to the genus Stenaelurillus were identified – one belonging to the black and white group of species and the other belonging to the colorful group, with colorful iridescent scales on their clypeus (Marathe et al. 2022). Here we describe these two as species new to science and provide data on their distribution based on specimens collected from India.

Materials and methods

A total of 136 salticid specimens (80♂♂ and 56♀♀) preserved in 70% ethanol were examined. Morphological examination and measurements were made with a Leica M205A stereomicroscope. The images were taken by means of a Leica DFC4500 digital camera attached to the Leica M205A stereomicroscope combined with the software package Leica Application Suite (LAS), version 4.1.2. Distribution maps were prepared by using the online mapping software SimpleMappr (Shorthouse 2010). All measurements are in millimeters (mm). Description of the length of palp and leg segments is as follows: total length [femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus (except palp), tarsus]. The terminology follows Logunov and Azarkina (2018) and leg setation follows Bossellaers and Jocque (2000). The studied specimens are deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Zoological Survey of India (NZC-ZSI), Kolkata, India.

Abbreviations used in the text and figures: ALE = anterior lateral eye, AME = anterior median eye, C = cymbium, CD = copulatory duct, CO = copulatory opening, do = dorsal, E = embolus, FD = fertilization duct, pl = prolateral, PLE = posterior lateral eye, PME = posterior median eye, plv = prolateral ventral, rl = retrolateral, RTA = retrolateral tibial apophysis, rlv = retrolateral ventral, v = ventral, VTA = ventral tibial apophysis, WLS = Wildlife Sanctuary.

Results

Family Salticidae Blackwall, 1841

Tribe Aelurillini Simon, 1901

Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886

Type species

Stenaelurillus nigricaudus Simon, 1886; by subsequent designation by Simon (1903: 669).

Stenaelurillus megamalai sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/3C022979-3865-4852-841F-476C7E37E247
Figs 1A–L, 2A–F, 3A–D, 7C

Type material

Holotype ♂. India: Tamil Nadu, Theni District, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, 09°38'34.1"N, 77°24'06.5"E, 871 m, 01.vii.2019, R. Venkitesan coll. (NZC-ZSI-7941/18). Paratypes: 12 ♀♀ & 25 ♂♂, same data as holotype, (NZC-ZSI-7942/18).

Diagnosis

S. megamalai sp. nov. can be separated from other species of the colorful group by the following combination of characters: males with distinct three sub-equal white spots arranged in a transverse row on the abdomen (Fig. 1A); clypeus covered with grayish black hairs, medially with a tuft of pale white hairs (Fig. 1G, H); chelicerae covered with white hairs (Fig. 1G); palpal femur pale yellow, dorsal and prolateral sides with a bunch of white hairs (Fig. 2C, D); RTA ventro-basally with a short tooth-like outgrowth (Fig. 2B); cymbium with a bunch of erect white hairs prolateral (Fig. 2C, D); prolateral margin of the salticid radix not rounded but with gentle prolaterally protrusion in ventral view (Fig. 2A); distal projection short and pointed (Figs 2B–D, 3B). The female with yellow spinnerets; epigyne with broad epigynal pocket and short, broad copulatory ducts (Figs 2E, 3C).

Figure 1. 

Stenaelurillus megamalai sp. nov. A. Male, dorsal view; B. Same, ventral view; C. Same, lateral view; D. Female, dorsal view; E. Same, ventral view; F. Same, lateral view; G. Male, frontal view; H. Same, fronto-lateral view; I. Female, frontal view; J. Male, left leg I, prolateral view; K. Same, left leg II, prolateral view; L. female, left leg I, prolateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A–C, G, J); 2 mm (D–F, I); 0.5 mm (H, K–L).

Figure 2. 

Stenaelurillus megamalai sp. nov. A. Left male palp, ventral view; B. Same, retrolateral view; C. Same, prolatero-ventral view; D. Same, retrolateral view; E. Female epigyne, ventral view; F. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A–D); 0.2 mm (E–F).

Figure 3. 

Stenaelurillus megamalai sp. nov. A. Left male palp, ventral view; B. Same, retrolateral view; C. Female epigyne, ventral view; D. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Description

Male (Holotype, NZC-ZSI-7941/18) (Figs 1A–C, G–H, J–K, 2A–D, 3A, B): Measurements: body length 4.76; carapace length 2.57, width 1.76; abdomen length 2.21, width 1.85. Ocular area length 1.01, width 1.35. Eye diameters: AME 0.37, ALE 0.24, PME 0.11, PLE 0.28. Eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.05, ALE–AME 0.09, ALE–ALE 0.96, ALE–PME 0.34, PLE–PLE 1.03, PME–PME 1.17, PME–PLE 0.20. Clypeus height 0.25. Length of chelicera 0.51. Measurement of legs: leg I 3.66 [1.26, 0.57, 0.86, 0.47, 0.50], II 3.27 [1.01, 0.51, 0.77, 0.52, 0.46], III 6.48 [2.15, 0.81, 1.43, 1.42, 0.67], IV 6.59 [1.96, 0.78, 1.36, 1.60, 0.89]. Leg formula: 4312. Leg setation: femur I, IV pl 2 rl 2 do 3, II–III pl 3 rl 2 do 3; patella I–II pl 1, III–IV pl 1 rl 1; tibia I pl 2 plv 2 rlv 1, II pl 3 rl 1 plv 3 rlv 1, III pl 3 rl 3 do 1 plv 2 rlv 1, IV pl 3 rl 3 do 1 plv 3 rlv 1; metatarsus I pl 2 rl 1 plv 1 rlv 1, II pl 2 rl 2 do 1 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 3 rl 3 plv 3 rlv 4, IV pl 3 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 1. Carapace yellowish-brown, with yellowish-white lateral sides, covered with brown setae, carapace margin with black lines, anterolateral sides densely covered with long dull white setae (Fig. 1A, C); eye field black, densely covered with dark brown bristles, anterior row of eyes encircled with white setae, a tuft of black erect setae present at anterior margin of PLEs, they appear as short horns in front view (Fig. 1A, C). Clypeus high, covered with greyish-black setae, medially with a tuft of white setae, either side of it with a tuft of black setae, and lateral sides with lustrous scales (Fig. 1G–H). Chelicerae short, yellow, dorso-laterally with long white setae (Fig. 1H), retromargin with one and promargin with two teeth. Fangs short. Endites light yellow with pale white inner tips. Labium light yellow. Sternum oval, light yellow, covered with short white setae (Fig. 1B). Leg segments pale yellow; femur I prolaterally and dorsally provided with fringe of white setae, the dorsal one prominent, ventrally with thick black setae (Fig. 1J); patella I and tibia I ventrally with black setae (Fig. 1J); femur II prolaterally and dorsally provided with fringe of white setae (Fig. 1K), the femur I prominent. Abdomen oval, covered with black setae, dorsum with an anterior transverse white line and mid-dorsal three black patches with three white spots (Fig. 1A); abdomen lateral edges fringed with black setae interspersed with patches of white setae; abdomen posterior end covered with grey white setae (Fig. 1A). Spinnerets light grey. Venter densely covered yellowish white setae, interspersed with few light brown setae (Fig. 1B). Palpal segments pale yellow covered with white and brown setae (Fig. 2C, D); femur dorsal and prolateral sides provided with bunch of long white setae, their length decreases towards the distal region, retrolateral side with light brown setae (Fig. 2C, D); patella proximo-retrolateral region with black markings; tibia distally with a stiff and long black dorsal setae (Fig. 2D); RTA simple, basally broad with a short tooth-like outgrowth, distally narrowing, with the tip slightly bent ventrally (Figs 2B, D, 3B); tibia with two ventral apophyses, VTA 1 broad, rounded, VTA 2 conical, projecting ventrally (Figs 2A, C, 3A); cymbium oval, densely covered with setae (Fig. 2B–D); functional tegulum with well-developed proximal projection (Figs 2A–D, 3A); tegulum with anterior transversal rim decorated with stiff bristles (Figs 2A, 3A); tegular process finger shaped, directed at 10 o’clock position in ventral view (Figs 2A, 3A); embolus short, with blunt tip directed at 11 o’clock position in ventral view (Figs 2A, 3A).

Female (paratype) (Figs 1D–F, I, L, 2E–F, 3C–D): Measurements: body length 7.68; carapace length 3.34, width 2.26; abdomen length 4.05, width 3.26. Ocular area length 1.22, width 1.83. Eye diameters: AME 0.50, ALE 0.30, PME 0.12, PLE 0.27. Eye inter distances: AME–AME 0.08, ALE–AME 0.13, ALE–ALE 1.23, ALE–PME 0.36, PLE–PLE 1.49, PME–PME 1.65, PME–PLE 0.26. Clypeus height 0.40. Length of chelicera 0.85. Measurement of palp and legs: palp 2.03 [0.65, 0.36, 0.37, 0.65], leg I 4.22 [1.50, 0.60, 0.91, 0.55, 0.66], II 4.30 [1.48, 0.70, 0.90, 0.64, 0.58], III 7.08 [2.20, 0.78, 1.74, 1.60, 0.76], IV 7.12 [2.12, 0.82, 1.50, 1.66, 1.02]. Leg formula: 4321. Leg setation: femur I, IV pl 2 rl 2 do 3, II pl 3 rl 3 do 3, III pl 3 rl 2 do 3; patella I–II pl 1, III–IV pl 1 rl 1; tibia I–II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 3, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 1, IV pl 4 rl 4 plv 2 rlv 1; metatarsus I–II pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, III pl 4 rl 4 do 2 plv 2 rlv 2, IV pl 4 rl 4 plv 3 rlv 3. In all details as male, except the following: eye field covered with yellowish-brown bristles, anterior row of eyes encircled by yellowish-brown setae (Fig. 1D). Clypeus light yellow, covered with yellowish-brown setae (Fig. 1I). Chelicerae slightly longer, yellowish-brown. Abdomen light yellowish brown, lightly covered with black and gray setae, dorsum medially with a triangular black patch, medially with a pair of white spots and a white spot further down, and laterally with two broad irregular black stripes extending from middle to the posterior tip (Fig. 1D); abdomen lateral sides with brown longitudinal stripes and few brown patches (Fig. 1F); venter pale white, scarcely covered with black setae (Fig. 1E). Epigyne with broad epigynal pocket located in between the copulatory openings (Figs 2E, 3C); copulatory openings large, located just above the posterior margin of the epigyne, separated by a distance that is almost less than the diameter of each opening (Fig. 2E); copulatory ducts short, and broad (Figs 2E, 3C); spermathecae round, separated from each other (Figs 2F, 3D); fertilization ducts oriented anterolaterally, situated at anterior region of spermathecae (Figs 2F, 3D).

Etymology

The species is named after the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary from where it was collected. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 7C).

Variation

Body length: Male: 3.70–5.00 (n=26); female: 4.60–7.68 (n=12).

Stenaelurillus neyyar sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/AF55521D-61BE-4002-9ACC-62595C21D2C5
Figs 4A–H, 5A–E, 6A–D, 7C

Type material

Holotype ♂. India: Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram District, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, 8°32'03.9"N, 77°08'54.8"E, 118 m, 26.vi.2022, P. Girish Kumar coll. (NZC-ZSI-7943/18). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 6♀♀ & 8♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-7944/18).

Diagnosis

The male of S. neyyar sp. nov. is distinct from all other species by the thin embolus arising from 10 o’clock position, with the tip directed at 12 o’clock position in ventral view; RTA short and thick with obtuse dorsal margin, tip pointed directed apically in retrolateral view. The female epigyne with sclerotized W-shaped projections on the posterior margin; copulatory openings lie close to each other; spermathecae nearly oval (Figs 5B–E, 6A–D).

Description

Male. (Holotype, NZC-ZSI-7943/18) (Figs 4A–C, G, 5A–C, 6A, B): Measurements: body length 4.22; carapace length 2.12, width 1.54; abdomen length 1.94, width 1.41. Ocular area length 1.01, width 1.23. Eye diameters: AME 0.36, ALE 0.24, PME 0.07, PLE 0.21. Eye interdistances: AME–AME 0.05, ALE–AME 0.05, ALE–ALE 0.91, ALE–PME 0.35, PLE–PLE 1.01, PME–PME 1.10, PME–PLE 0.16. Clypeus height 0.17. Length of chelicera 0.45. Measurement of legs: leg I 3.06 [1.03, 0.45, 0.70, 0.36, 0.52], II 3.11 [1.13, 0.44, 0.63, 0.52, 0.39], III 4.89 [1.59, 0.69, 0.97, 1.11, 0.53], IV 5.07 [1.38, 0.49, 1.01, 1.65, 0.54]. Leg formula: 4321. Leg setation: femur I, IV pl 2 rl 2 do 3, II pl 2 rl 3 do 3, III pl 3 rl 2 do 3; patella I–IV pl 1 rl 1; tibia I–II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 3, III–IV pl 3 rl 3 do 1 plv 2 rlv 1; metatarsus I–II pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, III–IV pl 4 rl 4 do 1 plv 2 rlv 2. Carapace pear-shaped, moderately high, densely covered with black setae, laterally with dense white setae forming a white band, and dorsally with a pair of white longitudinal bands extending from behind PLEs (Fig. 4A, C); eye field densely covered with black bristles (Fig. 4A). Clypeus high, light yellowish-brown with irregular dark brown patches, clothed with sparse white setae (Fig. 4G). Chelicerae short, vertical, dorsal region light yellowish- brown, covered with black setae (Fig. 4G), retromargin with one and promargin with two teeth. Fangs short, light brown. Endites yellowish brown with paler inner tips. Labium light brown with paler tip. Sternum oval, light yellow, lateral region with light brown lines, covered with elongated white erect setae (Fig. 4B). Legs: coxae and trochanters yellow; femora and tarsi pale yellow; patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi darker than other leg segments. Abdomen nearly oval, black, densely covered with black setae, anteriorly with inconspicuous transverse white band and posteriorly with three white spots, which together form an inverted triangle (Fig. 4A). Lateral abdomen dull yellow with a black longitudinal line and few black spots (Fig. 4C). Venter dull yellow, densely covered with light yellow and few long black setae (Fig. 4B). Spinnerets brownish. Palpal segments pale yellow, the distal region of femur with prolateral black patch; femur distally with a short macrosetae and dorsally with several long yellowish-white setae; patella and tibia with long black setae; RTA black, short and stout, with flat dorsal side, and tip sub-acute directed apically in retrolateral view (Figs 5C, 6B); VTA broad, with round end, directed at 2 o’clock position in ventral view (Figs 5B, 6A); cymbium oval, densely covered with setae; tegulum with broad and rounded tegular process, almost reaches height of embolus, sperm duct visible in ventral view; functional tegulum with well-developed and pointed proximal projection and without a distal projection (Figs 5B, 6A); embolus base wide, embolus thin and medium sized, initially oriented retrolaterally, which is slightly bent medially, with sub-acute tip directed at 12 o’clock position in ventral view (Figs 5B, 6A).

Figure 4. 

Stenaelurillus neyyar sp. nov. A. Male, dorsal view; B. Same, ventral view; C. Same, lateral view; D. Female dorsal view; E. Same, ventral view; F. Same, lateral view; G. Male, frontal view; H. Female, frontal view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A–H).

Figure 5. 

Stenaelurillus neyyar sp. nov. A. Left male palp, prolateral view; B. Same, ventral view; C. Same, retrolateral view; D. Female epigyne, ventral view; E. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A–C, E); 0.1 mm (D).

Figure 6. 

Stenaelurillus neyyar sp. nov. A. Left male palp, ventral view; B. Same, retrolateral view; C. Female epigyne, ventral view; D. Vulva, dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm (A, B, D); 0.1 mm (C).

Female (paratype) (Figs 4D–F, H, 5D, E, 6C, D): Measurements: body length 6.23; carapace length 2.65, width 1.85; abdomen length 3.25, width 2.75. Ocular area length 0.88, width 1.51. Eye diameters: AME 0.46, ALE 0.26, PME 0.11, PLE 0.25. Eye inter distances: AME–AME 0.06, ALE–AME 0.06, ALE–ALE 1.08, ALE–PME 0.35, PLE–PLE 1.23, PME–PME 1.38, PME–PLE 0.19. Clypeus height 0.21. Length of chelicera 0.83. Measurement of palp and legs: palp 1.82 [0.62, 0.21, 0.31, 0.68], leg I 3.57 [1.27, 0.62, 0.72, 0.41, 0.55], II 3.77 [1.40, 0.57, 0.73, 0.48, 0.59], III 6.06 [2.01, 0.80, 1.32, 1.21, 0.72], IV 6.11 [1.85, 0.74, 1.23, 1.54, 0.75]. Leg formula: 4321. Leg setation: femur I, IV pl 2 rl 2 do 3, II pl 2 rl 3 do 3, III pl 3 rl 2 do 3; patella I–II pl 1, III–IV pl 1 rl 1; tibia I–II pl 2 plv 2 rlv 3, III pl 4 rl 3 plv 2 rlv 1, IV pl 3 rl 3 do 1 plv 2 rlv 1; metatarsus I–II pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2, III–IV pl 3 rl 3 do 2 plv 2 rlv 2. In all details as male, except the following: carapace lighter in color (Fig. 4D); chelicerae promargin with single tooth; abdomen pale-yellowish with several black markings (Fig. 4D); spinnerets yellowish-brown. Epigyne simple, covered with long setae, posterior border line with sclerotized W-shaped projections; copulatory opening large, round, lie close to each other, situated posterior region of epigyne; copulatory ducts short, entering posteriorly into spermathecae; spermathecae nearly oval, contiguous; fertilization ducts long, oriented laterally, positioned at anterior region of spermathecae (Figs 5D, E, 6C, D).

Etymology

The species is named after its type locality, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Distribution

Known only from the type locality (Fig. 7C).

Figure 7. 

A–D. Collecting localities of all Stenaelurillus species in India.

Variation

Body length: Male: 4.00 to 4.50 (n=9); female: 4.70 to 6.23 (n=6).

Stenaelurillus albus Sebastian, Sankaran, Malamel & Joseph, 2015

Stenaelurillus albus Sebastian et al. 2015: 65, figs 1A, B, 2A–G, 3A–C, 7A, 8A–I, 9A–F.

Material examined

India: Karnataka: 1♂ (NZC-ZSI-7689/18), Mookambika WLS, 13°49'40"N, 74°48'06"E, 18.xii.2021, V. D. Hegde coll. Kerala: 1♂ (NZC-ZSI-7763/18), Neyyar WLS, 8°32'3.91"N, 77°9'0.92"E, 02.xii.2021, P. Girish Kumar coll.; 1♂ (NZC-ZSI-7762/18), Shendurney WLS, 8°51'29.28"N, 77°13'3.15"E, 09.xii.2021, P. Girish Kumar coll.

Distribution

India: Karnataka, Kerala (Prajapati et al. 2016, present data) (Fig. 7A).

Stenaelurillus arambagensis (Biswas & Biswas, 1992)

Marpissa arambagensis Biswas & Biswas, 1992: 390, figs 20–22.

Stenaelurillus digitus Prajapati, Murthappa, Sankaran & Sebastian, 2016: 327, figs 1C, D, 6A–D, 7A–E, 8A–C, 9A–D.

Stenaelurillus arambagensis Caleb et al., 2017: 120, figs 1–17; Logunov and Azarkina 2018: 20, figs 57–62.

Material examined

India: Andhra Pradesh: 12♀♀ & 16♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-6904/18), 10♀♀ & 14♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-6920/18), Coringa WLS, 16°49'16.45"N, 82°17'53.59"E, 03.iii.2019, R. Kumar coll. Bihar: 1♂ (NZC-ZSI-7754/18), Nalanda, 25°7'10.39"N, 85°27'17.85"E, 05.iv.2021, D. Mondal coll.; 2♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-7779/18), 1♂ (NZC-ZSI-7781/18), Kaimur WLS, 24°54'28.09"N, 83°31'52.90"E, 11.iii.2022, D. Mondal coll. Karnataka: 5♀♀ & 4♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-7460/18), Mookambika WLS, 13°49'40"N, 74°48'06"E, 02.xii.2021, V.D. Hegde coll.; 1♀ (NZC-ZSI-7478/18), Udupi, 13°20'24.91"N, 74°44'25.03"E, 31.xii.2021, V.D. Hegde coll. Puducherry: 1♀ (NZC-ZSI-7599/18), Bahour, 11°48'29.31"N, 79°44'46.16"E, 30.vii.2019; 2♀♀ (NZC-ZSI-7511/18), Karaikal, 10°55'35.23"N, 79°50'9.84"E, 08.xii.2021, D. Mondal coll.; 2♀♀ (NZC-ZSI-7560/18), Mahe, 11°42'44.66"N, 75°32'1.37"E, 14.xii.2021, D. Mondal coll. Tamil Nadu: 3♀♀ (NZC-ZSI-7604/18), Thiruvarur, 10°46'35.43"N, 79°39'19.66"E, 03.xiii.2019. West Bengal: 1♀ (NZC-ZSI-6606/18), Palashbagan, 23°41'36.61"N, 86°59'5.47"E, 13.iv.2018, S. Pahari coll.; 1♀ (NZC-ZSI-7815/18), Susunia Hills, 23°23'37.48"N, 86° 58'47.55"E, 26.vii.2022, C. Bera coll.

Distribution

India and Pakistan (Logunov and Azarkina 2018). India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar (new locality record), Gujarat, Karnataka (new locality record), Puducherry (new locality record), Tamil Nadu (new locality record), West Bengal (Caleb et al. 2017; present data) (Fig. 7D).

Stenaelurillus wandae Logunov, 2020

Stenaelurillus wandae Logunov, 2020: 210, figs 28–41.

Material examined

India: Bihar: 4♂♂ (NZC-ZSI-7778/18), Kaimur WLS, 24°54'28.09"N, 83°31'52.90"E, 11.iii.2022, D. Mondal coll.

Distribution

India: Bihar (new locality record), Odisha (Logunov 2020; present data) (Fig. 7C).

Discussion

The salticid genus Stenaelurillus currently has three centers of species diversity: western Africa, the south-eastern region of central Africa, and South Asia (Logunov and Azarkina 2018). The genus is relatively well studied in South Asia, with 18 valid species (Logunov 2020; World Spider Catalog 2023), 16 of which are known from India (including the species described here), three each from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and one from Nepal. India has the highest Stenaelurillus species diversity ever described from any single country. A major portion of them (about 81%) were described in the past eight years (Caleb and Mathai 2014, 2016; Sebastian et al. 2015; Vidhel et al. 2015; Prajapati et al. 2016; Logunov 2020; Marathe et al. 2022). With much of the country remaining relatively unexplored many more species may be discovered with extensive systematic surveys (Sanap and Caleb 2022).

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India for the encouragement, moral support and providing necessary facilities to carry out the work. We are thankful for the support extended by the Officers-in-Charge of the Southern Regional Centre, Chennai and Western Ghat Regional Centre, Kozhikode, Zoological Survey of India. We also thank the Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala and Tamil Nadu State Forest Departments for providing necessary permission and support during the surveys. Thanks to Chandan Bera for his curatorial assistance. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the editor Dr Danilo Harms (Germany) and the two reviewers, Dr Galina N. Azarkina (Russia) and Dr Tamás Szűts (Hungary), for their constructive comments and suggestions on the manuscript.

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