Pune scientist central to discovery of four new species of parasitic wasps
PUNE: In a major contribution to research around biodiversity, a team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered four new species of tiny spider-egg parasitic wasps in West Bengal. The discovery has drawn international attention and is a collaborative effort involving experts from multiple ZSI centres, with key molecular analysis carried out by K P Dinesh, scientist E at ZSI's Western Regional Centre in Pune. Team of scientists from ZSI has discovered four new species of tiny spider-egg parasitic wasps, including Idris bianor (in pic), in West Bengal. (HT)
The study has been published in the European Journal of Taxonomy and describes four previously unknown species of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus, Idris Förster (Hymenoptera Scelionidae) namely Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus and Idris longiscapus. These wasps are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (family Salticidae) and are especially notable for exhibiting gregarious parasitism, which is a phenomenon wherein multiple individuals emerge from a single spider egg sac.
The wasps were collected between 2021 and 2023 from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats in West Bengal. Senior scientist K Rajmohana and her team at ZSI Kolkata led the fieldwork and morphological taxonomy whereas Dinesh played a crucial role in confirming species boundaries using DNA barcoding techniques. The integrative approach — combining traditional taxonomy with modern molecular tools — was instrumental in validating the uniqueness of each new species.
Dinesh said, 'DNA sequences are currently available for only a limited number of described Idris species globally. By contributing genetic data, we are not only confirming our new species but also expanding the global reference database, which is essential for future biodiversity- and ecological research.'
Rajmohana noted that the discovery highlights the remarkable yet largely underexplored diversity of parasitoid wasps in Indian ecosystems. 'Each new species adds a critical piece to the puzzle of life. Understanding these hidden members of the ecosystem can offer deep insights into ecological balance, evolution, and species interactions,' she said.
Director of ZSI, Dhriti Banerjee, lauded the discovery as an example of cutting-edge biodiversity research. 'This work represents the modern direction of taxonomy — a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort that combines field science, lab expertise, and ecological understanding,' she said.
Parasitoid wasps such as Idris play a vital ecological role by regulating the population of their hosts — in this case, spiders. According to lead author and DST-INSPIRE fellow Sushama V, such tiny insects act as powerful natural pest controllers in arthropod communities. The findings also build on earlier work by the same research group, previously published in PLOS One, which documented gregarious parasitism by the Idris species in India for the first time. The latest discovery not only deepens our understanding of India's arthropod biodiversity but also demonstrates the importance of molecular science in uncovering cryptic and lesser-known species — a task in which the Pune ZSI team continues to play a leading role.
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Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Pune scientist central to discovery of four new species of parasitic wasps
PUNE: In a major contribution to research around biodiversity, a team of scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered four new species of tiny spider-egg parasitic wasps in West Bengal. The discovery has drawn international attention and is a collaborative effort involving experts from multiple ZSI centres, with key molecular analysis carried out by K P Dinesh, scientist E at ZSI's Western Regional Centre in Pune. Team of scientists from ZSI has discovered four new species of tiny spider-egg parasitic wasps, including Idris bianor (in pic), in West Bengal. (HT) The study has been published in the European Journal of Taxonomy and describes four previously unknown species of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus, Idris Förster (Hymenoptera Scelionidae) namely Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus and Idris longiscapus. These wasps are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (family Salticidae) and are especially notable for exhibiting gregarious parasitism, which is a phenomenon wherein multiple individuals emerge from a single spider egg sac. The wasps were collected between 2021 and 2023 from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats in West Bengal. Senior scientist K Rajmohana and her team at ZSI Kolkata led the fieldwork and morphological taxonomy whereas Dinesh played a crucial role in confirming species boundaries using DNA barcoding techniques. The integrative approach — combining traditional taxonomy with modern molecular tools — was instrumental in validating the uniqueness of each new species. Dinesh said, 'DNA sequences are currently available for only a limited number of described Idris species globally. By contributing genetic data, we are not only confirming our new species but also expanding the global reference database, which is essential for future biodiversity- and ecological research.' Rajmohana noted that the discovery highlights the remarkable yet largely underexplored diversity of parasitoid wasps in Indian ecosystems. 'Each new species adds a critical piece to the puzzle of life. Understanding these hidden members of the ecosystem can offer deep insights into ecological balance, evolution, and species interactions,' she said. Director of ZSI, Dhriti Banerjee, lauded the discovery as an example of cutting-edge biodiversity research. 'This work represents the modern direction of taxonomy — a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort that combines field science, lab expertise, and ecological understanding,' she said. Parasitoid wasps such as Idris play a vital ecological role by regulating the population of their hosts — in this case, spiders. According to lead author and DST-INSPIRE fellow Sushama V, such tiny insects act as powerful natural pest controllers in arthropod communities. The findings also build on earlier work by the same research group, previously published in PLOS One, which documented gregarious parasitism by the Idris species in India for the first time. The latest discovery not only deepens our understanding of India's arthropod biodiversity but also demonstrates the importance of molecular science in uncovering cryptic and lesser-known species — a task in which the Pune ZSI team continues to play a leading role.
Indian Express
2 days ago
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The Hindu
14-06-2025
- The Hindu
New jumping spider species discovered in southern India; possibly a first for rare genera, say researchers
A team of researchers has identified a new species of jumping spiders of the Spartaeinae subfamily in southern India, known for their intelligent hunting skills and web-invasion tactics. According to researchers, this discovery possibly marks the first time that the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita (specific groups within subfamily), previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been found in India. The research, led by John Caleb T.D. from Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, has introduced a new species named Spartaeus karigiri, after Karigiri, or Elephant Hill, in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where the spiders were first observed. The male of this species was spotted hiding in crevices and rocky outcrops, while the female was found guarding an egg clutch in the wild. More specimens were also discovered in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district. The study, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on June 11, involved researchers from across India. Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin and Souvik Sen from the Zoological Survey of India documented the specimens through detailed drawings and imaging, while fieldwork was supported by B.G. Nisha from the Wildlife Aware Nature Club in Tumakuru, Gautam Kadam from Sacred Heart College in Cochin, Rajesh Sanap, naturalist and wildlife researcher, and Chinmay Maliye, wildlife enthusiast. According to Mr. Caleb, the discovery holds particular significance because Spartaeus and Sonoita have never before been recorded in India. These spiders, part of the Salticidae family, are known for their keen eyesight and unique hunting methods, often deceiving other spiders by mimicking prey. In addition, Sonoita cf. lightfooti, a species previously thought to be confined to Africa, was also identified in Karnataka. This raises questions about whether it is a natural range extension or an introduced population, said Mr. Caleb. The study also resolved a longstanding taxonomic confusion. The species Marpissa gangasagarensis, described in 2005 from Gangasagar, West Bengal, was confirmed to be the same as Phaeacius fimbriatus, a species first described in 1900, following careful examination of historical museum specimens, the study noted. With these findings, India's spider fauna under the Spartaeinae subfamily has grown to 15 species across 10 genera. Despite these advancements, the study pointed out, much of India's varied terrain remains under-studied, with many more species waiting to be uncovered.
