Latest news with #ZoologicalSurveyofIndia
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
2 new fish species discovered
Berhampur: The researchers in Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Gopalpur and Marine Biology Regional Centre, Chennai have discovered two deep sea new fish species - Coloconger scholesi and Ophichthus erabo - from Kollam in Kerala. Anil Mohapatra, a senior scientist at ZSI, said the Coloconger scholesi belongs to a rarely reported eel genus, Coloconger, which, until now, had only one species (Coloconger raniceps) recorded from the Indian waters. "The discovery of this species marks a significant addition to the ichthyofaunal diversity of the region," Mohaaptra, who is in charge in ZSI's Estuarine Biology Regional Centre, Gopalpur, said. He added, "In the fresh condition, the body of the specimen appears uniformly blackish brown. Even after preservation, the coloration remains consistent and the fins retain a black hue. The tongue, palatine region, peritoneum and stomach are also black. The tube-like cephalic sensory canals and lateral line pores are distinctly black as well." About the Ophichthus erabo, he explained that this kind of Blotched Snake-Eel was first recorded from the Indian coast. Previously, it was not documented in Indian marine ichthyofaunal diversity. The species is distinguishable from its congener Ophichthus polyophthalmus by the presence of numerous dark brown semicircular blotches on the body. These blotches are denser and smaller on the head, becoming larger along the trunk and tail. The research was conducted by a team of scientists and scholars, including Mohapatra. Detailed descriptions of the Coloconger scholesi species have been published in the latest edition of Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom and Ophichthus erabo in National Academy Science Letters. "This discovery not only enriches the ichthyological database of India but also significantly contributes to understanding the true distribution and biodiversity of deep-sea fishes in the Indian Ocean region, " said Mohapatra.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
150-year-old ‘mystery' over desert lizard's identity solved
By Sharadiya Mitra The Zoological Survey of India has solved a 150-year-old scientific puzzle by officially identifying the reference specimen of the Persian long-tailed desert lizard (Mesalina watsonana), a species first described in 1872 by naturalist Ferdinand Stoliczka. ZSI researchers Sumidh Ray and Dr. Pratyush P. Mohapatra have designated a single specimen—ZSI-R-5050, housed in Kolkata—as the 'lectotype,' or the defining representative of the species. 'Stoliczka, the then director of the Geological Survey of India, led an expedition to Persia and deposited numerous specimens in the Indian Museum which is now in with ZSI.,' said Dr. Mohapatra while speaking with The Indian Express. 'Over time, confusion arose regarding the species' identity. This study confirmed that the oldest specimen, collected by Stoliczka, was indeed the original, leading to its official designation as Mesalina watsonana, previously known as Eremias watsonana,' he added. First known as Eremias watsonana, the lizard is found across arid regions of South and Central Asia. The designation of the lectotype gives researchers a stable and globally accepted point of reference for future taxonomic and ecological studies. The newly clarified identity of Mesalina watsonana is expected to aid studies on desert biodiversity and lizard evolution across Asia. ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, said, 'Stoliczka's collections remain crucial for understanding reptile taxonomy in the region. Clarifying these names isn't just good science—it also honors the legacy of past researchers.' The move ends decades of confusion among herpetologists, who had long grappled with scattered and poorly documented specimens kept across museums in Kolkata, London, and Vienna. (Sharadiya Mitra is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
553 tagged turtles returned to Rushikulya in three years: Scientist
1 2 Berhampur: Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district is emerging as a major rookery for Olive Ridley turtles due to active participation of local people in the protection and conservation of these endangered sea turtles, said wildlife experts at a meeting organised by Khallikote forest range at Purunabandh to mark World Turtle Day on Friday. Senior scientist at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Anil Mohapatra said 553 turtles returned to the rookery for nesting in the last three years, with 365 of them this year. He said around 12,000 female turtles were tagged by the ZSI and forest department during the 2021-23 period at the Rushikulya rookery to monitor their movement. "We recaptured over 553 of them at the same site so far. This indicates that they prefer to visit the rookery for mass nesting. The reason being safety and strict protection measures," he added. Mohapatra said a record number of baby Olive Ridley turtles also emerged from the pits and moved towards the sea with the help of forest staff and local volunteers. Around 9 lakh Olive Ridley turtles visited the beach for mass nesting in two phases this year. While 6,98,698 Olive Ridleys laid eggs on the beach in their first phase of mass nesting from Feb 16 to 23 in the five-km stretch from Podampeta to Bateswar, over 2.05 lakh turtles laid eggs in the same stretch in the second phase of mass nesting from March 22 to 27, said Dibya Shankar Behera, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), in-charge of Khallikote range. "It's high time the govt takes immediate steps to expedite the proposal for setting up a turtle research centre near the rookery," said Rabindra Nath Sahu, secretary of Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee, an organisation working on the conservation and protection of the Olive Ridleys. The forest department identified around 3.5 acres of govt land near Purunabandh for establishment of the proposed centre, sources said. Shankar Naryan Bez, co-ordinator of the district eco-club, lauded the community participation in the protection and conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
ZSI scientists discover rare marine nematode species on Tamil Nadu beach
A team from the Kolkata-headquartered Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has made a scientific breakthrough with the discovery of a new species of free-living marine nematode—tiny worm-like organisms vital to ocean health—on a sandy beach in Tamil Nadu. Led by senior scientist Anjum Rizvi and her researcher Ritika Datta, the team identified the new species as Pheronous jairajpurii Datta & Rizvi, 2025. This rare find marks only the third known species in the Pheronous genus, previously documented only in South Africa (1966) and China (2015), the latter also reported in Korea in 2023. 'This discovery significantly expands the known global distribution of this rare group and highlights the rich and often overlooked biodiversity along India's coastline,' said Dhriti Banerjee, director, ZSI. 'Each new species we uncover brings us closer to understanding our marine ecosystems and strengthens the case for their protection.' Free-living marine nematodes like Pheronous jairajpurii play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. They are considered bioindicators, helping scientists assess the condition of coastal environments. The species has been named in honour of the late Professor M.S. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Jairajpuri, a pioneering Indian nematologist renowned for his foundational contributions to the study of nematodes in India. ZSI scientists emphasize that such discoveries underscore the urgency of continued marine biodiversity research. 'This finding is a testament to the incredible and often hidden life thriving in our oceans,' Dr. Banerjee noted. With India's extensive and ecologically diverse coastline, experts believe that many more species remain to be discovered, each offering new insights into the delicate balance of marine life.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wildlife census in Varanasi division from May 26
1 2 Varanasi: As per guidelines of the govt of India, a wildlife census will be conducted in Varanasi division from May 26 to June 14. The census will cover all forest areas within and outside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as areas outside the forests. The census will include herbivorous wildlife such as barasingha, blackbuck, chinkara, and rhinoceros, along with bears. The Zoological Survey of India, the Botanical Survey of India, NGOs related to wildlife, unpaid wildlife wardens, colleges, and universities will be involved in the census. For the wildlife census, duty lists and responsibilities for officials and employees were received from the state headquarters. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, will be the chief organiser of the census, while the Forest Conservator of the Varanasi Division the main organiser and will be responsible for ensuring smooth conduct of the census. Organisers will also be responsible for providing appropriate training to other officials/employees involved in the census in their respective areas and arranging materials. They will conduct the census in their areas as per the instructions of the chief organiser and send the compiled information of their subordinate forest divisions to the chief organiser within the stipulated time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Didn't Anyone Tell You About This Power Saver? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo All concerned Divisional Forest Officers of Varanasi, Ghazipur, and Chandauli will be organisers in their respective divisions and will provide appropriate training to their subordinates. They will divide their divisions into census units, prepare duty lists, and distribute materials and other necessary forms for the census. They will ensure the census forms are filled out at the range level as per instructions and send the compiled census report, duly signed by the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer and themselves, to the Forest Conservator. Ravi Singh, Conservator of Forest of Varanasi Division, said that the main objective of the census is to make it transparent so that the wildlife data obtained is as close to reality as possible. The division or area where the wildlife census is being conducted should be divided into small census units in such a way that each census unit can be completed by the enumerator from 5am to evening in one day. Each census party should have two enumerators, and information should be filled out in the 'Wildlife Census Form 2025' for different species. The first wildlife census will be conducted on May 26, the second on June 2, and third on June 9.
