UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

The present study reports two oxyopid spider species from Wai, Satara District, Maharashtra, India, based on morphological examination of specimens collected from the Kisan Veer Mahavidyalaya campus. The specimens were collected using hand-collection and sweep-net methods, preserved in 70% ethanol, and examined under a stereotrinocular microscope. Diagnostic structures, including the female epigyne and male palp, were studied after dissection, and distribution maps were prepared using QGIS. Hamadruas kvmensis sp. nov. is characterised by distinct dark elongated spermathecal lobes, a rounded central region forming the median fertilisation duct, curved copulatory ducts, and a male palp with an elongated curved cymbium, large bulb, prominent tegulum, slender embolus, conductor, tibial apophysis and sensory setae. Oxyopes waiensis sp. nov. is distinguished by its pale yellow carapace with an orange median band, elongated silvery abdomen with a reddish-brown longitudinal band, spiny legs, reniform coiled spermathecae, curved copulatory ducts and broad atrium. The diagnostic characters were compared with related taxa reported from India and nearby regions to support species-level separation. The study also records Hamadruas from Wai for the first time and updates the regional distributional information for the documented taxa. These findings add to knowledge of lynx spider diversity in Maharashtra and indicate the need for further local surveys of under-documented habitats.