Scientists trace ancient origins of elusive Western Ghats Tree Mouse
The collaborative study, published in the latest July edition of the peer-reviewed 'Journal of Animal Diversity' from Lorestan University, Iran, involved researchers from various ZSI regional centres, including S S Talmale, K P Dinesh, and A Shabnam from the Western Regional Centre, Pune; Jafer Palot from the Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode; and K A Subramanian from the Southern Regional Centre, Chennai.
Although Platacanthomys lasiurus was first described in 1859, it has taken nearly 166 years to generate its genetic data. Molecular dating from this new research places the origin of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse's ancestors in the Eocene period, between 56 to 33.9 million years ago, indicating that the species likely survived major geological transformations while taking refuge in the forested hill ranges of the Western Ghats.
The mouse is believed to be a living fossil, with no close relatives in India. A similar-looking rodent, the Chinese Pygmy Dormouse (Typhlomys), is found in China and Vietnam. However, molecular analysis shows that the two species are not monophyletic - meaning they do not share a recent common ancestor - supporting their placement in separate families. The lineage of Typhlomys is estimated to have diverged during the Miocene period, much later than Platacanthomys.
The discovery was made during a small mammal survey near Suryamudi in the southern Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala's Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The collected specimen is now housed in the National Zoological Collection at ZSI's Western Regional Centre in Pune for future reference and study.
Dhiriti Banerjee, director of the Zoological Survey of India, emphasised the importance of such studies in the context of climate change. She stated that integrative approaches, combining traditional taxonomy with molecular tools, are vital for informing conservation strategies and ensuring the survival of vulnerable species.
Lead author Dr S S Talmale highlighted that habitat degradation remains the primary threat to the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse, which is listed as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List. Found at elevations ranging from 50 to 2,270 metres, the species has a fragmented and highly-restricted distribution. It is also listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, which offers legal protection and underscores the urgent need for habitat conservation.
Co-author Dr K A Subramanian noted that the study reinforces the theory that the southern Western Ghats served as a biological refugium during the breakup of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent, supporting ancient lineages that are otherwise extinct elsewhere. Dr M J Palot described the field discovery of the specimen as a rare and emotional moment, adding that the opportunity to sequence its DNA has deepened scientific understanding of the region's evolutionary heritage.
Dr K P Dinesh added that molecular tools such as DNA barcoding and phylogenetics are crucial for studying relict species like Platacanthomys lasiurus. These techniques not only uncover hidden evolutionary pathways but also aid in precise taxonomic classification and targeted conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots.
The findings not only elevate the conservation significance of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse but also open new avenues for research into its ecological history. The study is expected to inspire young researchers and students to explore the evolutionary mysteries of the Western Ghats, a region increasingly being recognised as a treasure trove of ancient and unique biodiversity.
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Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Scientists trace ancient origins of elusive Western Ghats Tree Mouse
In a groundbreaking discovery that redefines the evolutionary history of a rare rodent species, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have successfully decoded the DNA of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse (Platacanthomys lasiurus), a species endemic to the Western Ghats. This marks the first-ever generation of DNA barcodes for the elusive species, placing it within a clearer taxonomic framework and revealing its lineage as an ancient Gondwanan relic. Molecular dating from this new research places the origin of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse's ancestors in the Eocene period, between 56 to 33.9 million years ago, indicating that the species likely survived major geological transformations while taking refuge in the forested hill ranges of the Western Ghats. (HT PHOTO) The collaborative study, published in the latest July edition of the peer-reviewed 'Journal of Animal Diversity' from Lorestan University, Iran, involved researchers from various ZSI regional centres, including S S Talmale, K P Dinesh, and A Shabnam from the Western Regional Centre, Pune; Jafer Palot from the Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode; and K A Subramanian from the Southern Regional Centre, Chennai. Although Platacanthomys lasiurus was first described in 1859, it has taken nearly 166 years to generate its genetic data. Molecular dating from this new research places the origin of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse's ancestors in the Eocene period, between 56 to 33.9 million years ago, indicating that the species likely survived major geological transformations while taking refuge in the forested hill ranges of the Western Ghats. The mouse is believed to be a living fossil, with no close relatives in India. A similar-looking rodent, the Chinese Pygmy Dormouse (Typhlomys), is found in China and Vietnam. However, molecular analysis shows that the two species are not monophyletic - meaning they do not share a recent common ancestor - supporting their placement in separate families. The lineage of Typhlomys is estimated to have diverged during the Miocene period, much later than Platacanthomys. The discovery was made during a small mammal survey near Suryamudi in the southern Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala's Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. The collected specimen is now housed in the National Zoological Collection at ZSI's Western Regional Centre in Pune for future reference and study. Dhiriti Banerjee, director of the Zoological Survey of India, emphasised the importance of such studies in the context of climate change. She stated that integrative approaches, combining traditional taxonomy with molecular tools, are vital for informing conservation strategies and ensuring the survival of vulnerable species. Lead author Dr S S Talmale highlighted that habitat degradation remains the primary threat to the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse, which is listed as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List. Found at elevations ranging from 50 to 2,270 metres, the species has a fragmented and highly-restricted distribution. It is also listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, which offers legal protection and underscores the urgent need for habitat conservation. Co-author Dr K A Subramanian noted that the study reinforces the theory that the southern Western Ghats served as a biological refugium during the breakup of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent, supporting ancient lineages that are otherwise extinct elsewhere. Dr M J Palot described the field discovery of the specimen as a rare and emotional moment, adding that the opportunity to sequence its DNA has deepened scientific understanding of the region's evolutionary heritage. Dr K P Dinesh added that molecular tools such as DNA barcoding and phylogenetics are crucial for studying relict species like Platacanthomys lasiurus. These techniques not only uncover hidden evolutionary pathways but also aid in precise taxonomic classification and targeted conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots. The findings not only elevate the conservation significance of the Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse but also open new avenues for research into its ecological history. The study is expected to inspire young researchers and students to explore the evolutionary mysteries of the Western Ghats, a region increasingly being recognised as a treasure trove of ancient and unique biodiversity.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Researchers discover 4 new species of parasitic wasps
Kolkata: Researchers from the Kolkata-headquartered Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered four new species of microscopic parasitic wasps. These wasps, belonging to the genus Idris Förster (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), were found in West Bengal and are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (Salticidae). Uniquely, they exhibit gregarious parasitism, where multiple wasps develop within a single spider egg sac. The newly identified species—Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus—were collected between 2021 and 2023 from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats across West Bengal. Their identification was achieved through a meticulous combination of detailed morphological examination and cutting-edge DNA barcoding. The discovery, led by senior scientist Ks Rajmohana and her research team, was recently published in the European Journal of Taxonomy. This study not only expands highlights the remarkable variety of parasitoid wasps in lesser-explored habitats. "It represents a modern, integrative approach to understanding biodiversity," ZSI director Dhriti Banerjee said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "Each new species discovery adds a critical piece to the puzzle of life's diversity. Understanding these hidden members of ecosystems can reveal essential insights into ecological processes, evolution, and biodiversity patterns," said K Rajmohana, scientist E at ZSI. "An integrated taxonomic approach, which combines traditional morphological studies with modern molecular analysis, is crucial for species delimitation," explained K P Dinesh, Scientist E at ZSI, Pune, who provided the molecular expertise for the study. Co-author Rupam Debnath, a researcher on the team, commented on the global significance of the findings: "DNA sequences are currently available for only a small number of described Idris species globally. This makes our contribution particularly valuable in expanding the genetic reference library for the group." Parasitoid wasps like Idris play a crucial ecological role by regulating host populations, such as spiders, thereby helping to maintain the balance of arthropod communities. "Despite their minute size, parasitoids are powerful natural regulators," noted Sushama V, lead author and DST-Inspire Fellow. This latest research builds upon earlier findings by the team, first published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, which documented the phenomenon of gregarious parasitism by Idris species from India.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
ZSI scientists discover 4 new tiny wasp species in West Bengal
Written by Anisha Ghosh In a major discovery, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have found four new species of tiny parasitic wasps in West Bengal. These extremely small microscopic wasps belong to the genus Idris Förster and are known for laying their eggs inside spider egg sacs. Despite their size, they play an important role in nature by controlling spider populations. The wasps are named Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus. All four species were found between 2021 and 2023 in the farming areas of West Bengal by a team of scientists led by K Rajmohana at ZSI Kolkata. 'Each new species discovery adds a critical piece to the puzzle of life's diversity. Understanding these hidden members of ecosystems can reveal essential insights into ecological processes, evolution, and biodiversity patterns,' Rajmohana said. In an interesting behaviour pattern, the scientists noted that instead of just one wasp growing inside each spider egg sac, many baby wasps grow together and are called 'gregarious parasitism'. Other team members included Sushama V., Inspire Fellow of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Rupam Debnath from the University of Calcutta, and K P Dinesh from ZSI Pune. Their identification was achieved through a meticulous combination of detailed morphological examination and cutting-edge DNA barcoding. The finding was recently published in the European Journal of Taxonomy. 'An integrated taxonomic approach, which combines traditional morphological studies with modern molecular analysis, is crucial for species delimitation,' explained Dinesh, who provided the molecular expertise for the study. 'Despite their minute size, parasitoids are powerful natural regulators,' said Sushama V, lead author. Parasitoid wasps like Idris are important because they help control spider numbers and keep ecosystems in balance. This work also adds important DNA data to international science databases, helping scientists all over the world by expanding their knowledge of insect diversity, but also highlighting the remarkable variety of parasitoid wasps. (Anisha Ghosh is an intern with The Indian Express)
