New Distributional Record of a Jumping Spider (Araneae: Salticidae: Myrmarachnini) of Genus Myrmarachne MacLeay, 1839 in Chhattisgarh Region, India

Abstract

The present study documents a new state-level distribution record of the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmarachne prava (Karsch, 1880) (Araneae: Salticidae) from India. A male specimen was collected from the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh, representing the first confirmed record of M. prava from the state. Furthermore, this finding constitutes the first documented occurrence of the genus Myrmarachne MacLeay, 1839 in Chhattisgarh. The specimen was collected by hand from a Nerium oleander plant in the Dakbangla area of Gariaband. Species identification was carried out using external morphological characteristics, body coloration and pattern, and diagnostic features of the male pedipalp. The specimen was identified as M. prava based particularly on its predominantly black body, elongated chelicerae, and characteristic oval cymbium. The present record extends the known geographical distribution of M. prava and contributes to the documentation and updating of the spider fauna of Chhattisgarh State, India.