New spiders named after ‘Village in the Jungle’ characters

Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity has recently yielded six new species of palp-footed spiders, discovered by Prof. Suresh Benjamin of the National Institute of Fundamental Studies. In an evocative blend of science and literature, four of these species are named after characters from Leonard Woolf’s Village in the Jungle. Palpimanus silindu honors the novel’s tragic protagonist, while Steriphopus punchimenikae and Steriphopus hinnihamiae pay tribute to his daughters, Punchimenika and Hinnihami. Additionally, Steriphopus woolfi commemorates Woolf himself. The novel, originally published in 1931 and later adapted into a Sinhala translation and a film, vividly portrays the struggles of poverty and colonial oppression, using the jungle as a metaphor for both life’s nurturing force and its vulnerability to exploitation.

Prof. Benjamin’s naming not only celebrates literary heritage but also underscores a broader ecological truth: when natural systems, whether human or ecological, are disrupted by external pressures and exploitation, the consequences can be dire. Just as Silindu’s deep connection to the jungle defines his identity yet leaves him vulnerable in an unjust society, spiders play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance, a role now jeopardised by climate change and unsustainable human practices. Mitigation efforts and conservation strategies are essential to restoring and protecting these delicate natural systems, ensuring that both the cultural and ecological stories can thrive despite the challenges of a rapidly changing world.