Description of male Tylorida sataraensis Kulkarni, 2014 (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) with notes on habits and conservation status

Abstract

The male sex of Tylorida sataraensis Kulkarni, 2014 is described based on specimens from the type locality. The distinguishing characters from its closest species Tylorida ventralis (Thorell, 1877) are detailed. An interesting behaviour of going underwater by T. sataraensis, on disturbance is recorded and tested for significance. The surveys have shown sighting of this species only to the perennial streams of the rocky outcrops in Satara region. The potential threats to this species and the possible conservation status based on known distribution are discussed.

Keywords

• Tetragnathid spider
• laterite rocks
• streams
• seasonal surveys
• population marginalisation
• endangered species