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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
ZSI scientists discover a wolf spider, and four wasp species from West Bengal
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have announced the discovery of a new species of wolf spider, and four new species of spider-egg parasitic wasps, all from the State of West Bengal in the month of July. The newly described spider, Piratula acuminata, marks the first record of the genus Piratula in India. Discovered on Sagar island, part of the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans delta, this ground-dwelling wolf spider belongs to the family Lycosidae, commonly known as wolf spiders. Agile and nocturnal, they do not weave webs but ambush prey with precision and speed. 'This is a medium-sized spider, roughly eight to 10 millimetres in length,' Souvik Sen, lead author of the study from the ZSI, Kolkata, said. The details of the study have been published in the international peer reviewed journal Zootaxa, under the title 'First record of the genus Piratula Roewer, 1960from India, with the description of a new species'. The species is distinguished by a creamy-white body interspersed with brown and chalk-white spots, and unique genital structures. 'The unique morphological features of this spider immediately indicated it was an undocumented species,' Dr. Sen said, adding that the team of researchers conducted extensive morphological analysis over several weeks to confirm the findings. Along with Dr. Sen, Sudhin P.P. of the ZSI worked on the discovery, in collaboration with Pradeep M. Sankaran from Sacred Heart College, Kochi. The spider species was found in the estuarine mudflats of Sagar island, an area shaped by the river Ganga's alluvial deposits, and renowned for its high yet largely untapped biodiversity. Earlier this month in a separate study ZSI researchers led by K. Rajmohana identified and described four new species of parasitoid wasps belonging to the genus Idris (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). These tiny wasps — Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus — were collected from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats across West Bengal between 2021 and 2023. These wasps, no more than a few millimetres long, are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (Salticidae), and exhibit an unusual behaviour known as gregarious parasitism, where multiple wasps emerge from a single spider egg sac. 'This work underscores how much remains hidden in our own backyards,' said Dr. Rajmohana, Scientist E at the ZSI, whose team combined classical morphological taxonomy with DNA barcoding to confirm the presence of a new species. The findings were published recently in the European Journal of Taxonomy in a paper titled Description of four new species of Idris Forsters, 1856 ( Hymenoptera : Scelioniadate) India 'This integrative approach is now essential for accurate species delimitation, especially in micro-fauna where physical differences are minimal,' K.P. Dinesh from ZSI Pune, co-author of the paper, said. Parasitoid wasps like Idris play a key role in regulating spider populations and maintaining arthropod community balance. 'These discoveries reaffirm the significance of systematic taxonomy and modern molecular tools in uncovering India's hidden biodiversity. They also strengthen our national mission to document life forms before they are lost to climate change and habitat degradation,' lauding the teams for these discoveries, Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI, said. While the specimens of Piratula acuminata were collected exclusively from Sagar island, the Idris wasps were gathered from multiple districts across West Bengal, pointing to both the ecological specificity and the wide-ranging diversity harboured by these regions.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
ZSI finds new spider species in Sundarbans
Kolkata: Scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, discovered a new species of wolf spider on Sagar Island in the Sundarbans. The species, Piratula acuminata, marks the first recorded instance of the genus Piratula in India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This genus, part of Lycosidae family, is primarily found in Asia, with sparse distribution in Europe, North America. Unlike web-weaving spiders, wolf spiders are agile ground hunters. It measures around 8-10 millimetres and is distinguished by its pale creamy-white body, brown chalky spots on the abdomen and twin light-brown stripes at the rear. Souvik Sen, lead researcher, co-authored the study, with Sudhin P P (ZSI, Kolkata) and Pradeep M Sankaran (Sacred Heart College, Cochin). ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee said, "Every new species we find underscores Sundarbans' extraordinary natural heritage. "
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
New dragonfly species Lyriothemis abrahami discovered in Kerala
A new species of dragonfly, Lyriothemis abrahami, which was previously misidentified as Lyriothemis flava due to superficial similarities, has been officially documented after over a decade of painstaking fieldwork, larval rearing and scientific review by researchers from the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), the Zoological Survey of India, Pala Alphonsa College, and the Institute of Tropical Research, Ecology and Conservation. The discovery, published in the journal Entomon, after five rigorous rounds of peer review, marks a major milestone in dragonfly taxonomy in India and underscores the ecological significance of the Western Ghats. The discovery honours Abraham Samuel, a pioneer in odonatology. Kalesh Sadasivan, director, TNHS, said that the first clues emerged in May 2013 during a trek by researchers, including him, TNHS director Jayakumar K., the late Kiran C.G. and K. Baiju, in the forests of Thenmala. A dragonfly guarding a tree hole caught their attention due to its distinct features. He said despite photographic evidence and parallel observation in Thattekkad and north Kerala, the team refrained from publishing their findings out of respect for simultaneous efforts by other researchers. A single specimen collected then was left with the late Kiran, whose death led to the loss of the initial sample. Spotted four times Mr. Sadasivan said between 2013 and 2025 the species was spotted only four times in Ponmudi, Kallar, Neyyar and the Peppara wildlife sanctuary. 'The rarity of sighting cast doubt on the distinctness of the species,' he said. He said a breakthrough came in 2022 when field ecologist Jebin Jose located larvae in a tree hole, enabling the team to begin rearing the species at a homestead under controlled conditions. However, lab-reared adults failed to display mature colouration required for taxonomic description, Mr. Sadasivan said. The final success came in 2025 when four mature adults were collected, one from the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur and three from Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram. Distribution He said the species bred in small water pools in tree holes and exhibits strong dimorphism, with males featuring uniquely shaped hamules and female displaying jet black bodies with yellow triangular spots. Its distribution spanned from lowland rainforests to mid-elevation evergreen and deciduous forests between 50 m and 1,100 m above sea level. The finding increased Kerala's odonate species count to 191, including 78 endemic species, said Vinayan Padmanabhan Nair, co-author, emphasising the Western Ghats' global biodiversity significance. The study also underscores the importance of conserving forest microhabitats like tree holes, which serve as critical breeding sites for L. abrahami. Mr. Jose called the dragonfly an indicator of forest health, stressing habitat conservation's broader ecological benefits. The research team plan further studies on the larval biology and evolutionary relationships of the species.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Chintapalle emerges as coral hotspot in Vizag reef survey
1 2 3 4 Visakhapatnam: A recent study, conducted by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) across 15 sampling sites along the Visakhapatnam coast from Pudimadaka to Chintapalle, has identified 15 coral species, representing 12 genera and nine families. Among these sites, Chintapalle recorded the highest diversity with 12 species, followed by Rushikonda (six species), Pudimadaka (five), and Mangamaripeta (three). Three coral families, including Poritidae, Agariciidae, and Dendrophylliidae, emerged as particularly dominant across all surveyed locations. The highest live coral cover was observed at Chintapalle beach (23%), followed by Rushikonda (20%), Pudimadaka (15%), and Mangamaripeta (5%). Analytical comparisons revealed that Chintapalle and Rushikonda formed a distinct cluster due to their richer species diversity and greater coral cover, likely attributable to their proximity and similar habitat characteristics. In contrast, Pudimadaka and Mangamaripeta appeared more ecologically isolated, a pattern driven by lower species richness and differing benthic features. The study — said to be the first of its kind in the region in recent years or perhaps decades — was carried out over a four-year period from 2019 to 2023, employing Scuba diving and digital photography. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It was undertaken by a research team from the Zoological Survey of India (Kolkata), and Sunderban regional centre (Canning), comprising Joseph Stanley Yogesh Kumar, Arya Sen, Pradip Panda, and Chelladurai Raghunathan. The study was published in the 'Environmental Science Archives' journal two weeks ago. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support rich marine biodiversity and contribute significantly to the ecological and economic well-being of coastal communities. "Among the sites studied, Chintapalle beach exhibited the greatest coral diversity, followed by Rushikonda, Pudimadaka, and Mangamaripeta. This variation in species richness is likely influenced by factors such as depth, habitat structure, and local environmental conditions. The highest percentage of live coral cover at Chintapalle also indicates a healthier reef ecosystem, in contrast to Mangamaripeta, which recorded only 5% live coral cover," noted the researchers. The ecological implications of these findings are considerable. Elevated coral diversity is frequently linked to increased structural complexity, which provides essential habitats for a wide array of marine organisms, including fish and invertebrates. A diverse coral community enhances reef resilience to environmental stressors such as climate change and pollution. However, the disparities in coral cover and species diversity across the sites also highlight the vulnerability of certain areas — particularly Mangamaripeta beach — which may warrant targeted conservation interventions to restore ecological integrity, they said. "Given the escalating threats to coral reefs globally, including climate change and anthropogenic pressures, there is an urgency of implementing effective management strategies. Targeted measures such as habitat restoration, sustained monitoring, and community engagement are crucial for safeguarding the ecological integrity and ecosystem services of coral reefs along Andhra Pradesh coastline. Such efforts will not only fortify the resilience of these critical marine habitats but also ensure their continued contribution to the ecological and economic health of coastal communities," the researchers added.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Zoological Survey of India develops DNA barcodes for 169-year-old spiny tree mouse species
Bengaluru: Nearly two centuries after discovering a species in the biological hotspot of the Western Ghats, scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) successfully generated DNA barcodes for the Malabar spiny tree mouse (Platacanthomys lasiurus) — often hailed as a 'living fossil'. The DNA barcoding, similar to generating an Aadhaar number for citizens, paves the way for a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary history of these species. Sources in ZSI told TOI though the species was discovered in 1856, it had no individual identity as a species and was categorised under the subfamily of Typhlomys, the Chinese pygmy dormouse, due to similar features. However, scientists have now successfully uncovered the polymorphism features of these species. "The DNA barcoding and generation of the genetic data for these mouse species have established that these species are much more ancient than their Chinese counterparts that were documented in recent centuries," said Dr KP Dinesh, a scientist from ZSI, western regional centre, Pune. These frugivorous species live in tree holes and are nocturnal in nature. "They are distributed across forests between Kodagu in Karnataka and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Unlike all the species that have undergone morphological changes as part of evolution, these spiny tree mice have not undergone any change. Hence, they are referred to as living fossils," explained Dr Dinesh. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "The molecular dating suggests the origin of the ancestors of these spiny tree mice dates back to the Eocene period (56 to 33.9 million years ago), which is likely a Gondwanan relic that persisted in the Western Ghats. Hence, the present lineage of Platacanthomys could be a relict taking refuge in the hill ranges of the Western Ghats, whose ancestors might have gone extinct due to various geological events in the past," he said. The latest specimen of the Malabar spiny tree mouse was sourced from Suryamudi in Wayanad district of Kerala during a periodic survey on small mammals. Subsequently, scientists from ZSI's western regional centre, Western Ghats regional centre in Kozhikode, and southern regional centre in Chennai collaborated for the study and published the findings in the Journal of Animal Diversity. Dr Dhiriti Banerjee, director of ZSI, said this genetic data on these historic and enigmatic species is vital, especially in the backdrop of climate change. Dr SS Talmale, the lead author, highlighted the immediate need for targeted habitat conservation of these species that live within 50 metres to 2,270 metres altitude. "They have already been listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Act 1972," he pointed out. Another scientist, Dr MJ Palot, described it as a very elusive and rare species. "Despite years of fieldwork, I have seen it only a few times, and the recovery of a specimen at Suryamudi is indeed a rare chance."
