August 2020

Knowledge about biodiversity does not seep easily from research papers to general public in the age when biodiversity conservation is priority. To alleviate this knowledge gap, along with Vijay Barve, Florida Museum of Natural History, I… Read More »SpiderIndia: let us all document spiders of India

The tetragnathid spider genus Orsinome is presently recognized by 17 species, mostly known from Asian tropics, many with singular records and restricted distribution. Although a valid genus, its diagnostic characters have remained unedited since over 120 years.… Read More »Systematics and biogeography of the leucaugine spider genus Orsinome (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

In female spiders, the second pair of appendages, pedipalps serves as a sensory organ and in males they are modified as secondary reproductive organs. Interestingly, females of miniature spiders (Anapidae and Symphytognathidae) have reduced palp while… Read More »How did spiders become smaller?: tracing the palp size reduction and its loss

 Patu digua, the smallest known spider (0.37 mm long) on the planet belongs to the family of miniature spiders, Symphytognathidae.  The informal group of symphytognathoids comprise the families Anapidae, Mysmenidae, Symphytognathidae and Theridiosomatidae. Two recent… Read More »Evolution of the miniature orb weaving spiders