Question: In which State, a rare and endangered species of Gooty tarantula (Peacock Parachute Spider) was discovered recently?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Sikkim
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Assam
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- Recently researchers have discovered a rare species of spider known as Peacock Parachute Spider
- The spider, which is from the genus Poecilotheria, is also known as Gooty Tarantula, it is an endangered bright blue spider found near Gingee in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu.
- It was spotted by a team of Puducherry-based researchers from the Indigenous Biodiversity Foundation (IBF) in the Pakkamalai Reserve Forests of the State in a cave.
- They later identified the type of spider by looking at photographs from the Zoo Outreach Organizations and Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society.
- This spider is native of the Eastern Ghats, in the deciduous forests near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh.
- Tarantulas are biological pest controllers and there is a huge demand for them by collectors in the pet trade.
Links:
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/researchers-stumble-across-rare-critically-endangered-blue-tarantula-in-tamil-nadu-7253631.html
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/rare-tarantula-sighted-in-villupuram-district/article29272058.ece