A Putative Record of Poltys illepidus from Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

This study reports a new record of the orb-weaver spider Poltys illepidus C. L. Koch, 1843 (female) from the Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh, India, representing the first documented occurrence of this species within the state. The specimen was collected by hand-picking from the forest area of Chilpi range, Patwa Baihar, located in Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary (BWLS), Kawardha district, Chhattisgarh. Morphological examination of the specimen's genital structure and body form, including the trilobed, laterally expanded epigyne with irregularly shaped receptacles, the dorsoventrally flattened abdomen, and the dark black colouration, supported its identification as Poltys illepidus C. L. Koch, 1843 (voucher no. SRULS 147), following careful differentiation from the closely related and frequently confused species P. nagpurensis Tikader, 1982. This record constitutes the first confirmed occurrence of P. illepidus from Chhattisgarh, extends the known distribution of the species into Central India, and provides a foundation for future arachnological surveys across the insufficiently studied protected areas of the state.