Meet ‘Mogrus Pune’: New Spider Species Discovered In Pimpri-Chinchwad Park

A young Pune scientist has identified a new jumping spider species in a biodiversity park, putting the city on India’s wildlife research map.

Pune has added a new name to the world of biodiversity. A new species of jumping spider, scientifically named Mogrus Pune, has been discovered inside the Alfa Laval Biodiversity Park in Pimpri-Chinchwad by city-based researcher Atharva Kulkarni.

The discovery has been officially published in the internationally recognised European Journal of Taxonomy, confirming the species as a new scientific record.

Where It Was Found

The spider was located in the Alfa Laval Biodiversity Park, a green space known for native vegetation and thorny trees.

Researchers said the species was spotted resting on branches of:

• Acacia trees
• Native Apta trees

Experts noted that finding this kind of spider on thorny tree branches was itself unusual.

What Makes Mogrus Pune Special

The newly identified spider belongs to the Mogrus genus, a group usually associated with dry and semi-arid habitats across Africa and Eurasia.

According to researchers, Mogrus Pune has distinctive markings that make it easier to identify, including:

• Two brown stripes on the head
• Two stripes on the abdomen
• Vibrant and clearly visible body patterns

Its appearance and habitat behaviour helped scientists suspect it could be a previously unknown species.

Six Months Of Study

After spotting the spider, Atharva Kulkarni studied it for nearly six months.

He reportedly observed:

• Behaviour patterns
• Habitat preferences
• Hunting style
• Feeding response using small insects and flies in a controlled terrarium setup

Detailed examination later confirmed it was a separate species.

Not Pune’s First Spider Discovery

This is not Kulkarni’s first contribution to arachnid research. About three years earlier, he had also identified another jumping spider species from Baner Hills, named Okinawicius tekdi.

That makes this another notable biodiversity find linked to Pune’s urban ecosystems.

Why This Discovery Matters

Scientists say the find shows that even urban green spaces can hold undiscovered wildlife species.

The research also highlights:

• Importance of protecting biodiversity parks
• Value of native tree habitats
• Need for more local wildlife surveys
• Hidden ecological richness inside growing cities like Pune

Bigger Message For Pune

As Pune expands rapidly, discoveries like Mogrus Pune serve as a reminder that development and biodiversity must grow together. Sometimes, world-class scientific discoveries are waiting quietly on the branch of a local tree.

Disclaimer: Wildlife species identification is based on published scientific research available at the time of writing.