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| Eriovixia gryffindori
Ahmed, Khalap & Sumukha, 2016
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| Figure 6: Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov. showing resemblance to dried foliage. |
ABSTRACT
A new species of cryptic, dry-foliage mimicking araneid, Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov.
is described from the unique ‘Kans’ forestlands of central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India.
Key Words: Araneidae, Eriovixia, India, Karnataka, Shivamogga, nouveau taxon, taxonomy, natural history.
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| Figure 1: Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov. - Anterodorsal view |
Eriovixia Archer, 1951
Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov.
Type specimen: Holotype: female, Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga district, Karnataka. 19.x.2015. Sumukha J. N.
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| Figure 1: Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov. - Lateral view |
Diagnosis: Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by the following characteristics: epigyne sub-triangular, lateral sclerites large, distinct; scape long & stout, prominent, slightly recurved towards the tip, when viewed laterally; boundary between base of epigynum and scape clearly demarcated. Spermathecae small, oblong. Copulatory ducts stout, strongly arched, and inwardly curved, bearing a distinct coiled appearance; copulatory openings large, prominent, disk shaped, located posteriad.(Figures 3-5).
Etymology: This uniquely shaped spider derives its name from the fabulous, sentient magical artifact, the sorting hat, owned by the (fictitious) medieval wizard Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and stemming from the powerful imagination of Ms. J. K. Rowling, wordsmith extraordinaire, as presented in her beloved series of books, featuring everyone’s favorite boy-wizard, Harry Potter. An ode from the authors, for magic lost, and found, in an effort to draw attention to the fascinating, but oft overlooked world of invertebrates, and their secret lives.
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| Figure 6: Eriovixia gryffindori sp. nov. showing resemblance to dried foliage. |
Natural History: A small, cryptic, nocturnal araneid which takes refuge in, and mimics dried foliage,
during daylight hours (Figure 6).
Holotype female located among dried leaves of an unidentified shrub, 4 feet from ground
level (approx.). Web Vertical; orb-shaped.
Javed Ahmed, Rajashree Khalap and Sumukha J. N. 2016. A New Species of Dry Foliage Mimicking Eriovixia Archer, 1951 from central Western Ghats, India (Araneae: Araneidae). Indian Journal of Arachnology 5 (1-2); 24-27.
@jk_rowling We named a spider, after the sorting hat, from the films! :) Meet Eriovixia gryffindori. Link to paper: goo.gl/JZYe6A pic.twitter.com/Qwf1fid7W7
.@curiocritters I'm truly honoured! Congratulations on discovering another #FantasticBeast!pic.twitter.com/NJ4Fe27F1r
Eriovixia gryffindori; our new species named after the sorting hat from @jk_rowling books Kudos to my brilliant coauthor @INDogProject
#FantasticBeastsAndWhereToFindThem : Eriovixia gryffindori. Where does one find it? Western Ghats, India, a global #biodiversity hotspot
Researchers name spider after Harry Potter character | The New Daily http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/good-news/2016/12/12/researchers-name-spider-harry-potter-
http://imgur.com/gallery/YUtQz http://i.imgur.com/pHyXIoi.jpg
@CurioCritters @INDogProject @satpudatiger @JK_Rowling #FantasticBeast!
@CurioCritters @INDogProject @satpudatiger @JK_Rowling #FantasticBeast!