New Trapdoor Spider Species Discovered Near Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karjat

Researchers have discovered a new species of trapdoor spider, named Tigidia singhal, in the rocky semi-arid grasslands near the Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karjat tehsil of Ahilyanagar district. This discovery, which was reported on July 10, 2026, officially expands the known geographical range of the rare Tigidia genus beyond southern India and highlights the rich biodiversity of the Deccan Plateau.

The findings regarding the new species were published in the latest issue of Arachnology, which is the journal of the British Arachnological Society. The research team that conducted the study and identified the spider included Dr. Rishikesh Tripathi from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment.

According to the published research, the newly identified spider belongs to the Barychelidae family. Spiders belonging to this family are highly specialized and are known for building silk-lined underground burrows. These burrows are carefully hidden beneath camouflaged trapdoors that blend into the surrounding environment.

The spider uses these hidden burrows to hunt. It waits inside the burrow and ambushes its prey by suddenly opening the camouflaged trapdoor. While the spider primarily feeds on insects, it is also known to occasionally target and capture small reptiles or mammals that pass close to its hidden entryway.

The discovery of Tigidia singhal near the Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karjat is considered highly significant by arachnologists. Previously, the rare Tigidia genus was only known to inhabit areas in southern India. Finding this species in the rocky semi-arid grasslands of Maharashtra represents a major expansion of the known geographical range of the genus.

Researchers noted that the discovery highlights the unique biodiversity of the Deccan Plateau, showcasing that the semi-arid grasslands of Ahilyanagar district are home to rare and previously undocumented wildlife.