Peacock Parachute Spider: Rare tarantula sighted for first time

Researchers have sighted critically endangered species of tarantula- Peacock Parachute Spider for first time beyond its known habitat in the Eastern Ghats. Its known habitat is in degraded forests near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh. Recently, it was spotted in a cave in Pakkamalai Reserve Forests (in Eastern Ghats) near Gingee in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu.

About Peacock Parachute Spider

It belongs to the genus Poecilotheria. It is commonly known as Peacock Parachute Spider or Gooty Tarantula. It is endemic to India. It was sighted for first time way back in 1899 by Reginald Innes Pocock on the basis of a single female specimen in Gooty. It is considered as biological pest controller.

Threats: There is huge demand for tarantulas by collectors in the pet trade. There is an urgent need to protect them.

Protection status: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorised it as Critically Endangered.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2019