SILCHAR, Feb 6: In a remarkable discovery highlighting Assam’s hidden biological wealth, researchers from Assam University, Silchar, have identified the first-ever sighting of the tiny jumping spider species, Colyttus bilineatus, in India. This species was previously only recorded in Southeast Asia.
The finding, made in the forests of Barak Valley, was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa. This marks a significant extension of the species’ known geographical range, which previously included only Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The research was conducted by Assam University scholar Monica Chetry, under the supervision of Professor Parthankar Choudhury. It was carried out in collaboration with noted arachnologist John TD Caleb from Saveetha University, Chennai. The spider was discovered in the Loharbond area of Cachar district, situated within an Inner Line Reserved Forest that is recognized for its rich yet largely unexplored biodiversity.
Experts say this discovery fortifies Assam’s status as a vital region within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, known for being one of the most species-rich yet least studied ecological areas globally. “Assam’s forests continue to be a frontier for biological discovery,” stated Professor Choudhury, referencing earlier significant discoveries from the Barak Valley, such as the Man-face Stink Bug (Catacanthus incarnatus) in 2003 and the Walking Leaf Insect found in Katlicherra in 2006.
The researchers emphasize the importance of examining less well-known life forms. “Assam’s biological richness isn’t defined solely by large mammals and birds,” said Monica Chetry of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Assam University. “It is equally shaped by small, often overlooked microfauna. While tiny, jumping spiders serve as active predators, playing a crucial role in regulating insect populations and maintaining the health of forest ecosystems,” Professor Choudhury added.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/assam-records-first-indian-sighting-of-rare-jumping-spider-in-barak-valley-1606683
Category: Assam
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Publish Date: 2026-02-06 10:49:00
