Jumping Spider Tenakana

• According to a finding published in the journal Zookeys, a team of arachnologists has discovered a new species of jumping spider 'Tenkana' found in southern India.
• Apart from this, a new species Tenakana Jayamangali found in Karnataka has also been described. It is named after the Jayamangali river of Karnataka.

About Jumping Spider Tenakana:

• Naming: The name 'Tenkana' comes from the Kannada word meaning south.
  • Virtually all known species are from southern India and northern Sri Lanka. 
• Genus: Colopsus
• Subtribe: Belongs to the Plexippina subtribe of spiders
  • However, it is different from related groups like Hyllus and Telamonia.
• Habitat: Usually in dry areas and terrestrial habitats
• Spread: In Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Two previously known species of jumping spiders

• Tenkaana Manu (in South India and Sri Lanka)
  • It was named in 2014 after Dr. Manu Thomas, a retired professor of Madras Christian College.
• Tenkaana Arkavati (in Karnataka)