Scorpion-tailed spider was discovered on the campus known for rich biodiversity

Scorpion -tailed Spider ( Arachnura angura ), one of the rare spider species, has been found on the campus of Karnatak University, which is known for its rich biodiversity.

Harshavardhan S. Jamakandhi, a final-year student of the Zoology Department, and assistant professors Pulikeshi M. Biradar and Dheeraj K. Veeranagoudar have traced the existence of this species during a field work done recently. A female was sighted and observed along with a juvenile on a different branch.

Arachnura is orb-weaving spiders of Australasia, with one species found in Africa and Madagascar. These spiders mimic litter, like twigs or dead leaves, by brownish-yellow colour appendages. They stay in the middle of their web day and night. They curl up their tail when disturbed, but the tail is harmless.

The specimens were not collected in order that they may thrive and spread to more parts of the area. Instead, they were photographed and video-graphed.

First reporting in Karnataka

This is the first scientific reporting of the species from Karnataka, but it was photographed in a few other places of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and in some parts of the Western Ghats.

Arachnura is orb-weaving spiders of Australasia, with 1 species found in Africa, Madagascar