eng Science and Education Publishing Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2328-3920 2020-11-04 8 6 544 555 10.12691/aees-8-6-29 AEES20208629 article Manoj Ramakant Borkar borkar.manoj@rediffmail.com 1 Mohini Seth 1 School of Arachnology, Biodiversity Research Cell, Department of Zoology, Carmel College for Women, Nuvem-Goa, India This research addresses gaps in information on the occurrence, distribution, ecology and in situ behaviour of Indian Violet (Chilobrachys fimbriatus Pocock, 1899) and Lesser Goa Mustard or Karwar Large Burrowing spider (Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899) in the precincts of Western Ghats in the Indian state of Goa. Populations of these two theraphosid spiders were studied during the monsoon and winter seasons through 2018-19. Besides a comparative data on gross morphology and morphometry; observations were recorded on the habitat and microhabitat characteristics, distribution, density and construct of burrows across two seasons; and in situ behaviour of both the species. An interesting aspect of this study is the comparative fine morphology of spider silk; and assessment of the regional conservation threats of the two species, of which T. truculentus falls under ¡®Near Threatened¡¯ IUCN category, while Chilobrachys fimbriatus is considered to be a ¡®Least Concern¡¯ species. http://pubs.sciepub.com/aees/8/6/29/aees-8-6-29.pdf theraphosidae ecology behavior fine structure pet trade conservation thrigmopoeus truculentus chilobrachys fimbriatus SEM