Titanidiops Kolhapurensis

Titanidiops Kolhapurensis Latest News

A new species of trapdoor spider named Titanidiops kolhapurensis has been recently discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district by a joint team of researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur (SUK).

About Titanidiops Kolhapurensis

• It is a new species of trapdoor spider.
• It has been discovered in the grasslands of the Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
• This spider builds vertical or slanted burrows in flat or sloping grassy meadows.
• These entrances are masterfully camouflaged to blend with the soil, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye.
• While researchers found a healthy presence of the species in natural forests and native grasslands, they were notably absent in areas overtaken by exotic tree plantations, such as Gliricidia sepium (commonly known as Undirmari).
• It is on the verge of local extinction due to rapid habitat degradation.

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What are Trapdoor Spiders?

• They are a unique group of large-bodied, burrowing spiders found across several taxonomic families. 
• They construct burrows in the ground, the entrance of which features a silken-hinged door. 
• They burrow up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) deep in the soil.
• The reclusive spider feeds by quickly opening the trapdoor and grabbing an insect or other arthropod that is passing close by. 
• They are generally timid and quickly retreat into the burrow if frightened.
• Their bite is not considered medically significant to humans.
• They are found in climates with tropical, subtropical, and warm temperatures.
• These spiders typically grow to about one inch (2.5 centimeters) long, with some larger species reaching up to 1.5 inches (4 centimeters). 
• Despite their protective burrows, trapdoor spiders are often threatened by spider-hunting wasps. 
• They typically do not disperse far from their mother’s burrow, making populations vulnerable to human development or other land-use changes.

Source: TOI