Zaitunia rufa (Caporiacco, 1934): A Novel State Record of a Crevice Weaver Spider (Araneae: Filistatidae) in Chhattisgarh, India with First Record of Male Specimen

Abstract

Zaitunia rufa (Caporiacco, 1934) is a Crevice weaver spider species belonging to the family Filistatidae, distributed exclusively within Asia. In the present study, a total of 15 specimens (11 females and 4 males) of this species were collected from three sites in the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh: Deobhog, Mainpur, and Gariaband city. The identity of the species, specifically its name and family was revealed following a morphological examination (specifically of the genitalia) of the collected specimens. This marks the first time this species has been recorded in the state of Chhattisgarh, thereby adding another species to the state's faunal inventory, which is a significant contribution from the perspective of Chhattisgarh's spider biodiversity. Before this record, the species had been recorded in only two other states: Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir. Chhattisgarh now stands as the third state where this species has been recorded. Based on the literature described to date, no male specimen of Zaitunia rufa had previously been recorded in the world; however, in this study, the male is recorded for the first time, thereby filling this research gap.