Natural History Wanderings

Mong a Bay reported

Four new species of tarantulas, including one new genus, have been described from India’s Western Ghats mountains.
A concerning trend shows that 25% of newly described tarantula species since 2000 have appeared in the pet trade, with some appearing for sale within months of being scientifically described.
Tarantulas face dual threats from illegal collection for the pet trade and habitat loss in the Western Ghats, where many are found only in small patches of remaining forest surrounded by tea plantations.
These spiders serve as important predators and indicators of healthy habitats in their ecosystems, but are particularly vulnerable due to their slow reproduction rates and the difficulty in detecting them during smuggling attempts.

Read on news.mongabay.com/2024/12/four-new-tarantula-species-found-in-indias-western-ghats-mountains/