Arachnid Quest: Discovering Sky and the Hidden Gem of Nilgiri Hills

 Arachnid Quest: Discovering Sky and the Hidden Gem of Nilgiri Hills

Image of Thrissur station, Makdiops nilgiriensis and Anaikati hills.

It all began when my two best friends, my wife, and I decided to embark on an unusual adventure - an adventure that would lead us deep into the heart of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, India, in search of a mysterious spider. You see, we were passionate about studying spiders, and our curiosity led us to the World Spider Catalog, where we stumbled upon a fascinating entry. In this vast catalog, we came across a spider known as Makdiops nilgiriensis, native to the Nilgiri Hills. However, what intrigued us the most was the fact that the male of this species remained undescribed. This presented us with a unique opportunity, as none of us had ever encountered this particular spider family in the wild. All we had was a preserved sample, and the prospect of seeing it in its natural habitat excited us beyond measure.

Our journey began late one evening in Kerala, where we hastily purchased general tickets for the train to Coimbatore. We couldn't wait to reach our destination and commence our quest. As the train chugged along through the night, our excitement kept us wide awake, discussing the wonders that awaited us in the Nilgiri Hills. Four hours later, we arrived at Coimbatore station. It was still the dead of night, and we had plenty of time before dawn broke. We made ourselves as comfortable as possible, resting on the station's cold floor and passing the time with spirited rounds of Ludo games on our phones. A quick visit to the station's public toilet refreshed us, and we were ready for the adventure that lay ahead.

With the first rays of morning light, we boarded a bus to Anaikatti Hills, a region nestled within the Nilgiri Hills. There, we hoped to find the elusive male Makdiops nilgiriensis. We started our journey with a steaming cup of tea, which served as both breakfast and lunch. Our enthusiasm knew no bounds as we set out, following a trail that led us closer to a picturesque waterfall.

We had read that these spiders preferred rocks and shaded areas, so that's where we directed our search. Along the way, we encountered a group of jumping spiders, adorned with mesmerizing sky-blue iridescent hairs on their heads, crescent-shaped markings, and star-like spots on their abdomens. We couldn't help but be captivated by their beauty, and we decided to name this newfound species "Sky" after the enchanting patterns on their bodies. It was an unexpected and thrilling discovery, even though it wasn't the spider we had set out to find.

Images of Sky spider

Undeterred, we pressed on, flipping rocks and exploring shaded spots in our relentless quest. Hours passed, the sun climbed higher, and by 3 p.m., we reached the waterfall, our destination. Yet, Makdiops nilgiriensis continued to elude us, leaving a sense of disappointment lingering in our hearts. We decided to take a refreshing dip in the waterfall, allowing its waters to invigorate our spirits. With darkness fast approaching, we knew it was time to begin our journey back to Kerala. Along the way, one of my friends called out in sheer joy and excitement. "Mujhe mil gaya!" he exclaimed. In English, it meant, "I found it!"

We gathered around him in anticipation, and there it was - the elusive male Makdiops nilgiriensis. It was a creature of remarkable beauty and resilience, with a flat body allowing it to cling to walls and an olive-green color adorned with white patches, mimicking lichen for perfect camouflage in the wild.

We carefully collected the precious spider, cradling it with the utmost care. Our mission was an undeniable success. As we retraced our steps and the path felt different now, energy coursed through our veins, fueled by the triumphant discovery we had made. Reaching the foothills of the mountain, we treated ourselves to lemon juice at a small shop, savoring the sweet and tangy taste of victory. It was late, and our journey back to Kerala awaited. We boarded the bus, and as the night once again enveloped us, we couldn't contain our excitement and awe at what we had achieved.

Back home, the adventure was far from over. We began capturing live images of our newfound spider treasures, preserving the memory of our remarkable journey into the heart of the Nilgiri Hills. It was a night that would forever be etched in our minds, a testament to our passion, determination, and the breathtaking beauty of the natural world we had uncovered. And, through it all, my wife was there, sharing in the wonder and excitement of our unforgettable adventure.

-Rishikesh Tripathi