ZSI finds a new species of wolf spiders at Sagar island
The Statesman | 26 July 2025
In a significant discovery, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata have found a new spider species at Sagar Island in the Sundarbans.
The finding, as being anticipated by the researchers could be a source of innumerable information as it marks the first recorded instance of the genus Piratula in India, a group of wolf spiders, predominantly found across Asia, with limited distribution in Europe and North America.
The newly-identified species, Piratula acuminata, belongs to the family Lycosidae, commonly known as wolf spiders was collected by the researchers in November 2019. The unique morphological features of the spider immediately hinted to the researchers that it was an undocumented species. The ZSI research team then conducted extensive morphological analysis over several weeks to confirm the findings. Unlike web-building spiders, these agile predators are said to be ground-dwelling and ambush their prey.
The distinctive structural intricacies of its genitalia, specifically the acuminate basal arm of the tegular apophysis in males and ovate spermathecae in females, were key to its identification as a novel species. Dr Souvik Sen, lead researcher from ZSI, described the species as a medium-sized spider, approximately 8-10 millimetres in length, characterised by its pale creamy white coloration interspersed with brown, chalk-white spots on its abdomen, and a pair of light brown stripes towards the rear.
This species of the spider was collected by the researchers in November 2019 and the detailed scientific report on the discovery was published by the team including Dr Souvik Sen and Dr Sudhin P P from ZSI, Kolkata, along with Dr Pradeep M Sankaran from Sacred Heart College, Cochin, this month in the latest issue of the scientific journal, Zootaxa.
As learnt from Dr Sen, West Bengal accommodates a wide array of spiders totalling to 585 including the latest discovery. However, the new finding on Sagar Island, the largest island within the Sundarbans deltaic complex, reinforces the ecological richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island’s unique ecosystems, shaped by alluvial deposits from the Ganga river, include vital mudflats and estuarine waters supporting a diverse array of flora and fauna.
“Every new species we discover is a testament to the incredible natural heritage of this region,” reiterated the director of ZSI Kolkata, Dr Dhriti Banerjee. “It also serves as a stark reminder of how much we stand to lose if we don’t expedite our efforts to protect these habitats,” she added.
Pointing out the potential of the discovered species of wolf spiders, Dr said: “The species of spider could be a good bio-control agent. The species could also bring to the fore the scenario of climate change or could even help in conservation initiatives. Considering the potential, after the discovery, the researchers are now asserting on the critical need for further studies to understand the ecological role of Piratula acuminata and its potential vulnerability to the increasing threats posed by climate change within the Sundarbans ecosystem.