Range extension of the Gooty Tarantula Poecilotheria metallica (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

Authors

  • Kothandapani Raman Indigenious Biodiversity Foundation, No. 24 Mission Street, Puducherry 605001, India.
  • Sivangnanaboopathidoss Vimalraj No: 65, Second Cross Street, Kurunji Nagar Extension, Lawspet, Puducherry 605008, India.
  • Bawa Mothilal Krishnakumar PG and Research Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A.V.C. College, Mannampandal, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu 609305, India.
  • Natesan Balachandran Ecology Department, French Institute of Pondicherry, 11, Saint Louis Street, Puducherry 605001, India.
  • Abhishek Tomar District Forest Officer, Villupuram Division, Collectorate Master Plan Campus, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu 605602, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5266.11.10.14373-14376

Keywords:

Poecilotheria metallica, Nandyal and Giddalur, Eastern Ghats

Abstract

This paper is based on the observations from Tamil Nadu. The presence of this critically endangered Theraphosidae, P. metallica has been recorded for the first time outside of its known distribution, wherefore, expanding its range to further south from its type locality. The present sighting extends its distribution ranges along the Eastern Ghats by approximately 370 Km to further south from its type locality (Pocock 1899). 

References

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Published

26-08-2019

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