New spider from Thar desert named after Malayali arachnologist

A new species of spider discovered from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan has been named after a Malayalee arachnologist.

• The new species of jumping spider, Pseudomogrus sudhii, has been named after Sudhikumar A.V., in recognition of his contributions to the field of Indian arachnology.
• He is also founder of the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE).
• This species inhabits dry grass blades of the desert.
• It is the first report of this genus from India.
• So far 35 species of spiders of this genus have been discovered worldwide.
• The spider is only 4-mm long.
• Dark brown coloured head of male is covered with small white hairs and has black eye region.
• There is a dark mid-longitudinal band traversing the pale-yellow coloured abdomen.
• Head of the female is yellow with black eyes. There are white spots on its light-yellow abdomen.