ZSI study unravels hidden world of South Asian tree shrews, redefines conservation priorities
Zoological Survey of India
(ZSI) have revealed new insights into the taxonomy of
South Asian tree shrews
, challenging long-held assumptions and setting a new course for their conservation.
Published today in the prestigious journal
Ecology and Evolution
, the study—led by Dr. Manokaran Kamalakannan of ZSI's Mammal and Osteology Section—delves into the evolutionary distinctions among South Asia's tree shrews, small, squirrel-like mammals that have long confounded researchers due to their superficial resemblance to other species.
You Can Also Check:
Kolkata AQI
|
Weather in Kolkata
|
Bank Holidays in Kolkata
|
Public Holidays in Kolkata
'Tree shrews are not true shrews or squirrels, but members of a distinct order called
Scandentia
,' said Dr. Kamalakannan, who conceptualised and steered the project from start to finish. 'They possess unique traits such as elongated snouts, moist nasal pads, and a diet of insects and fruits, setting them apart from other small mammals.'
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Drawing from a century's worth of museum specimens, the ZSI team applied advanced morphometric methods and statistical modelling to decode subtle differences in body shape, skull structure, and size—resolving long-standing taxonomic ambiguities that have hindered conservation efforts.
Nicobar Tree Shrew: From Smallest to Largest
One of the most surprising findings upends conventional wisdom about the Nicobar tree shrew, previously thought to be the smallest among its South Asian relatives. The study reveals it is, in fact, the largest tree shrew in South Asia, and ranks as the third largest globally among the 23 known species.
'This has major conservation implications,' noted Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI. 'Insular endemics like the Nicobar tree shrew are particularly vulnerable to ecological stress, and accurate taxonomy is critical for crafting focused protection strategies.'
A Call for Genetic Research
While the morphological findings are ground-breaking, co-author Dr. Mukesh Thakur emphasized the need for genetic studies to complement this research. 'To build a complete phylogenetic tree of these species, integrating DNA data is now essential,' he said.
Dr. Nithyanandam Marimuthu, who led the complex statistical analyses, added, 'Our multivariate analysis statistically supports the distinction among these species, even when physical similarities once led to misidentifications.'
Conservation Through Clarity
Tree shrews are often overlooked in conservation discourse, but their ecological role—as seed dispersers and insect predators—makes them crucial components of forest ecosystems. The new findings underscore how scientific clarity can drive better conservation outcomes.
'This study proves that even long-preserved museum specimens can yield new knowledge when paired with modern analytical tools,' Dr. Kamalakannan said. 'It's a testament to the enduring value of biological collections.'
The full study, titled
'Museum Specimens Reveal the
Taxonomic Distinctions
among South Asian Tree shrews,'
is available open-access at
https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71202
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Scientific evidence refutes that Covid vaccines are responsible for sudden deaths': Medical expert
Speaking to ANI, Dr Mohit Gupta, Professor of Cardiology, GB Pant Hospital, said that findings from a study conducted on 1,600 heart attack patients showed a protective benefit of the Covid-19 vaccines. NEW DELHI: Medical experts have rejected allegations that Covid-19 vaccines are responsible for a recent spike in heart attack-related deaths, following comments made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding over twenty such deaths in Hassan district. Speaking to ANI, Dr Mohit Gupta, Professor of Cardiology, GB Pant Hospital, said that findings from a study conducted on 1,600 heart attack patients showed a protective benefit of the Covid-19 vaccines. He said, "In our own study on 1,600 patients with heart attacks who had received the Covid vaccine and those who had not received it. We found that those who have received the Covid vaccine not only have lower chances of having a heart attack, all-cause mortality and sudden deaths, but also, following them for 30 days and 6 months, the chances of death of those people are significantly reduced." "The Covid-19 vaccine is harmless and also plays a protective role. This study is not only ours; ICMR has also validated this. Multiple hospitals have conducted big studies on this. A Korean study on around 2 lakh people replicated the same results. The US Covid Collaboration replicated similar results. In our study, we took both the Covid vaccines and similar results were shown for both the Covaxin and Covishield," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Refuting any linkage between cardiac deaths and Covid vaccines, Dr Gupta said that scientific evidence refutes that Covid vaccines are responsible for sudden deaths. The doctor stated, "This is a sudden hype. If we see practically too, then we have given this vaccine all over the country, so if that is the case, there will be clustering, multiple deaths will be reported from different parts of the country, which will be significantly increased, but in the last 5 years, nothing such has happened. Suddenly, if there are 4-5 cases and if we think that is because of the vaccine, then no. there are multiple reasons of sudden cardiac death. .. I think we really has to be think over... Scientific evidence refutes that Covid vaccines are responsible for sudden deaths..." Earlier, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited echoed similar sentiments and refuted the allegation of the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in which he attributed more than twenty deaths due to heart attacks in the past one month in district of Hassan to Covid vaccines. She said that it was factually incorrect to suggest that Covid vaccines were hastily approved. Earlier in a post on X, CM Siddaramaiah shared that in the past month, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people died due to heart attacks. CM Siddaramaiah said, "In the past month alone, in just one district of Hassan, more than twenty people have died due to heart attacks. The government is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been formed under the leadership of Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and they have been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days. " He further said that orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the Covid vaccines could have any adverse effects. In this regard, the process of examining and analysing heart patients is also underway. On July 2, a press release by the Union Health Ministry said that studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have established that there is no direct link between Covid-19 vaccination and the reports of sudden deaths in the country.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi's Ramayana first look out. Check plot, cast, release date and other details
In what could be one of the most ambitious cinematic retellings of Indian mythology, the first look of Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram and Sai Pallavi as Sita, has finally been revealed. Helmed by National Award-winning director Nitesh Tiwari, the film is not just another adaptation—it's a grand cultural statement crafted on a global canvas with some of the world's top creative minds involved. Plot of Ramayana Set 5,000 years ago, Ramayana reimagines the revered Indian epic with cutting-edge VFX and a larger-than-life scale. The visual-heavy first look, released on Thursday, features stunning CGI work created by Prime Focus and DNEG, an Oscar-winning visual effects company known for their work on Dune. The result is a glimpse of ancient India that feels vivid, epic, and timeless. Produced by Namit Malhotra and co-produced by actor Yash, who also plays the role of Lankesh (Raavan), the film promises not just visual brilliance but emotional depth and authenticity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo An all-star cast and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations Joining Ranbir and Sai Pallavi is Sunny Deol in the role of Lord Hanuman, while Ravi Dubey plays Laxman. In what's being hailed as a historic collaboration, two Oscar-winning composers—Hans Zimmer (Inception, Gladiator) and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire)—are joining forces for the film's music. This marks the first time these music titans are working together, creating high expectations for the film's sonic landscape. You Might Also Like: An engineer-turned-actor is playing Lord Rama's brother, Laxmana, in Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana. Meet Ravi Dubey What to expect from Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana? IANS reported that Namit Malhotra, founder of Prime Focus and CEO of DNEG, described the film as more than a movie, calling it a "cultural movement for every Indian around the world." He added that this version of Ramayana reimagines the landscapes, creatures, and battles with the scale and splendour they deserve. Behind the scenes: Hollywood meets Indian mythology Director Nitesh Tiwari also told IANS that Ramayana has been designed to honour the soul of the original story while matching the scale of the world's biggest cinematic universes. 'It's a tale that has endured across millennia because it speaks to something deep and eternal within us,' he said. 'We are not simply making a film. We are offering a vision — one rooted in reverence, shaped by excellence, and made to transcend borders.' To ensure global standards of action and design, the crew features legendary stunt coordinators like Terry Notary (Planet of the Apes, Avengers) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa). Production design is being handled by Ravi Bansal (Aladdin, Dune: Part Two) and Ramsey Avery (Tomorrowland, Captain America), bringing to life the grandeur of Ayodhya and Lanka with authentic detail and imaginative flair. Ramayana Release Date The film is being shot in IMAX format and will be released in two parts. Part 1 of Ramayana will hit theatres in Diwali 2026, followed by Part 2 in Diwali 2027. With a visionary team, a powerful story, and a cast that blends mass appeal with artistic integrity, Ramayana is shaping up to be more than just a movie—it could be the definitive retelling of the epic for this generation and beyond.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Jurassic World Rebirth' eyes $260m global debut over Independence Day weekend
Global box office forecast: $260m opening Jurassic World Rebirth begins its global rollout with screenings in Hong Kong today and opens across the US, UK, China, Germany, Korea, Spain, and Italy tomorrow. Analysts project a robust five-day international haul of about $130 million from 82 markets, launching in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and the Netherlands today, July 3, followed by France and India on July 4 . Japan will follow in August. The US debut will include around 4,000 theaters tomorrow, expanding to 4,300 by Friday, with a five-day projection of $120 million to $130 million. Holiday timing vs audience behavior Universal continues its post-Covid tradition of launching major releases midweek, avoiding Tuesday preview nights. Independence Day weekend traditionally brings variable attendance, due to fireworks, barbecues, and outdoor activities. However, blockbuster franchises can override these patterns. Universal has dominated this holiday span since 2021 with F9 , Minions: The Rise of Gru , and Despicable Me 4 . The studio's history suggests Rebirth could continue that streak unless disrupted by competing titles or holiday fatigue. Also read: Jurassic World Rebirth release date, review: Hit or flop? Franchise legacy and moviegoer interest The Jurassic franchise relaunched in 2015 with Jurassic World , grossing $1.67 billion globally. Its 2022 follow-up, Dominion , crossed $1 billion worldwide. That installment, however, received a franchise-low 29 per cent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though it earned an A– CinemaScore, indicating strong audience response. Rebirth introduces scribe David Koepp , curer of the original Michael Crichton adaptations, and director Gareth Edwards , known for Godzilla and Rogue One , as the creative team. The plot centers on bioresearcher portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, joined by Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Jonathan Bailey, and newcomer Delgado family in a bio-piracy thriller aimed at reviving franchise vitality. Also read: 'Jurassic World Rebirth' to hit cinemas: where to watch the entire Jurassic franchise ahead of the new din by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Xu hướng nhà container: Giải pháp nhà ở hiện đại và bền vững Visionary Echo Tìm Ngay Undo Presales, promotion, and competitive landscape Rebirth leads presales in key markets like China, Mexico, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and Korea. Universal hosted a Shanghai premiere attended by Johansson and Edwards last Sunday. European promotion included a London debut on June 17, Berlin screening June 18, and a Paris red carpet on June 22 featuring Johansson and composer Alexandre Desplat. CineEurope audiences also viewed extended footage last month in Barcelona, generating positive buzz. Universal's PLF screen strategy prioritizes Rebirth over Apple Original Films and Warner's F1 , which remains in IMAX hoping for a second-weekend boost of at least $28 million.
