Latest news with #DhritiBanerjee
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
India added 683 species to its fauna, 433 taxa to its flora in 2024
India added 683 new species to its fauna in the year 2024, which included 459 new species and 224 species new records. The country also added 433 taxa of flora during the same period, which included 410 species and 23 infra-specific taxa of plants. The details of new discoveries and new records were released by Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in Kolkata on Monday (June 30, 2025). The maximum number of new discoveries of fauna in 2024 was recorded from Kerala — with 101 species (80 new species and 21 new records) — followed by Karnataka — 82 (68 new species and 14 new records). Tamil Nadu recorded 63 discoveries with 50 new species and 13 new records. In the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country, Arunachal Pradesh recorded 72 animal discoveries (42 new species and 30 new records), Meghalaya 42 new discoveries (25 new species and 17 new records) and West Bengal 56 new discoveries (25 new species and 31 new records). Andaman and Nicobar Islands, another biological hotspot in the country, recorded 43 new discoveries of fauna from the region, which included 14 new discoveries of fauna and 29 new records. In terms of plant discoveries, the highest number of flora discovered was from Kerala (58), followed by Maharashtra (45) and Uttarakhand (40). The new plant discoveries for 2024 record 154 angiosperms, 4 pteridophytes, 15 bryophytes, 63 lichens, 156 fungi, 32 algae and 9 microbes. The hotspot regions, such as the Western Ghats and the North-Eastern regions, have contributed 35% of total discoveries. India has recorded and documented 56,177 species of plants — angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, lichens, fungi, and algae etc. Diversity of fauna In terms of diversity of fauna, the country has recorded 1,05,244 species and subspecies encompassing all forms of faunal life from protists to mammals. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the country's premier institution for faunal exploration and research, publishes Animal Discoveries every year detailing the new discoveries of fauna. Similarly, the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), the country's premier organisation for plant research and taxonomy, publishes Plant Discoveries every year detailing the new discoveries of flora. ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee said Animal Discoveries, 2024 not only showcased the richness of India's biodiversity but also emphasised the essential role that systematic research and taxonomic expertise played in the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development. 'India, recognised as one of the 17 megadiverse countries worldwide, occupies a vital position in the ecological framework of our planet. Despite covering only 2.4% of the earth's land area, the nation is home to approximately 8% of the world's recorded biodiversity.' she added. The significant faunal discoveries for the year 2024 include two new genus and 37 species of reptiles and five new species of amphibians. The significant discovery of reptiles included Dravidoseps gouensis, belonging to the new genus, and Anguiculus dicaprioi is a member of Colubridae family, named after Hollywood star, Leonardo Di Caprio. 'The plant discoveries for the year 2024 include wild relatives of many potential horticultural, agricultural, medicinal, and ornamental plants such as begonia, impatiens (balsams), legumes, zingibers, orchids etc. which introduces us to the myriads of benefits and possibilities available at our disposal,' said BSI Director Pratibha Gupta. In terms of flora, the significant discoveries include important orchid species such as Bulbophyllum gopalianum, Coelogyne tripurensis, Gastrodia indica and Gastrodia sikkimensis. Several new species belonging to important plant groups such as legumes, zingers, grasses, etc were also discovered.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
New skink species discovered in Eastern Ghats adds to India's reptile diversity
1 2 Hyderabad: A new species of skink has been discovered in the hillscapes of the Eastern Ghats, marking a significant addition to India's reptile diversity. Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India along with scientists from the Natural History Museum, London, described the species as Riopa deccanensis, or the Deccan Gracile Skink. The finding was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa and is the first new Indian species in the Riopa genus to be described in over eight decades. Origin and Morphology The species was identified from the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana. It is characterised by a slender body, semi-transparent lower eyelids, distinct longitudinal dorsal stripes, five fingers and five toes, and 108–109 paravertebral scale rows. It also exhibits eight or nine lamellae on the fourth toe, with the ear opening covered by scales and no enlarged preanal scales. The mitochondrial DNA analysis confirms its placement within the genus Riopa, revealing a genetic divergence of 4.1% to 9.2% from other known congeners. "This discovery sheds light on the cryptic reptile diversity of the Deccan landscape and underlines the importance of systematic field studies and molecular tools in unveiling cryptic species," said Dr. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo Dhriti Banerjee, ZSI director. Biogeographic and Taxonomic Significance Riopa deccanensis is the ninth described species in its genus and only the sixth from India. It is the first of its kind to be recorded from the region in over 84 years. The species name reflects its origin in the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone and specifically from the Nallamala hill ranges, which straddle both the entral plateau and Deccan south provinces. "This is part of our broader effort under the programmes 'Fauna of the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone' and 'Fauna of Amrabad Tiger Reserve', supported by the chief wildlife wardens and forest departments of AP and Telangana," said Dr Deepa Jaiswal, Officer-in-Charge, ZSI-Freshwater Biology Regional Centre, Hyderabad. Currently, AP accounts for 14 known skink species and Telangana for eight. With this discovery, both states see an expansion in their known herpetofaunal records. Evolutionary Insight The study contributes to understanding limb and digit evolution in squamate reptiles. The genus Riopa showcases variability in digit configurations – some species such as R. lineata and R. vosmaerii – exhibit partial digit loss. This pattern aligns with global findings that demonstrate repeated digit loss and re-evolution across lizard lineages, as observed in genera such as Bachia (South America) and Lerista (Australia). "Among skinks in India, a striking morphological spectrum exists – from completely limbless snake-like forms to reduced limbs and digits," the study said. The research provides groundwork for further inquiry into developmental and evolutionary mechanisms underlying these traits. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Olive Ridley turtles choose mates of similar size, reveals new study
A study published in the journal Ecosphere by scientists from the Kolkata-based Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Michigan revealed that olive ridley sea turtles—a vulnerable species listed on the IUCN Red List—prefer mating with partners of similar size. Some species of animals where males maintain a territory, are bigger in size as compared to females. In contrast to these animals, Olive Ridley females are bigger in size to accommodate the eggs inside their body. The Olive Ridley Sea turtles do not mate with random sized mates. They are mating with a preferred sized mate, the research finds. The research, conducted over two years at Odisha's Rushikulya rookery, one of the world's largest mass nesting sites for the species, involved capturing, tagging, and measuring 134 mating pairs. The study found a strong positive correlation between the sizes of male and female turtles, indicating size-assortative mating behaviour. 'This preference may be shaped by biological advantages,' said Dhriti Banerjee, ZSI director. 'Larger females tend to lay more eggs, and larger males may have a competitive edge during mating.' The team also recorded signs of intense mating competition, including bite marks on females and instances of multiple males attempting to mate with a single female. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Olive Ridley turtles are important because they are crucial in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. They are a vital part of the food chain, helping regulate populations of other marine organisms, like jellyfish. Additionally, their nesting habits on beaches enrich coastal ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity. Their nesting on beaches enriches the environment by contributing to the nutrient cycle and providing habitat for other species. The research was led by Basudev Tripathy and Anil Mohapatra of ZSI, along with Anshuman Swain from the University of Michigan and Ashis Kumar Das and Sandeep Kumar Mohapatra from ZSI's Gopalpur-on-Sea centre. The study not only sheds light on a previously little-understood aspect of olive ridley behaviour but also underscores the importance of targeted conservation. 'There are many unknown aspects of the biology of olive ridleys. Monitoring and reducing high sea mortality is essential for their long-term survival,' added Banerjee. The Rushikulya rookery, discovered in 1994, has shown a steady rise in nesting females thanks to sustained conservation efforts. Tripathy, who has monitored the beach for nearly three decades, noted the positive trend: 'The number of nesting females has been growing due to our persistent protection and habitat monitoring work.' The need to protect Olive Ridley turtles and their nesting grounds underscores the importance of their role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
News18
26-04-2025
- Health
- News18
Blood-Sucking Fly That Can Cause Human Blindness Identified In Darjeeling, Kalimpong
Last Updated: Onchocerciasis, commonly known as 'river blindness,' is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. The worm is carried by black flies. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a species of blood-sucking fly that can cause human blindness. 'Black" flies, also referred to as 'pipsa" or 'potu" flies by the locals, are found in the areas of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. These flies are carriers of worms known as Onchocerca volvulus, which cause blindness in humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), onchocerciasis, commonly known as 'river blindness", is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted to humans by the repeated bites of infected blackflies that breed in flowing rivers. 'These black flies of the Simuliidae family are extremely small. They are barely noticeable to the naked eye. Before one realises it, the fly has already sucked blood and left. Many species in this family look almost identical externally. In scientific terms, distinguishing between two different species of Simuliidae flies based on external characteristics is quite difficult and time-consuming. Sometimes, accurate species identification is not even possible," Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. According to the report by the Indian Express, Dr Atanu Naskar, the officer-in-charge and scientist at the Diptera division of the Zoological Survey of India, informed that a research was conducted across eight areas of the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The researchers collected the DNA samples and then barcoded the DNA to identify the fly. While there has been no report of any disease caused by these flies as of now, Dr Dhriti Banerjee told Indian Express that the people in these areas remain at risk of blindness, as these places witness good numbers of tourists who might unknowingly get bitten. First Published: April 26, 2025, 23:45 IST
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
ZSI study finds human blindness-causing blackfly in rivers flowing through Darjeeling, Kalimpong
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has recently spotted blackflies, which serve as carriers of a worm causing human blindness, in many rivers flowing through the northern parts of West Bengal. Locally called 'pipsa' or 'potu', the blood-sucking flies were found in rivers in areas such as Darjeeling and Kalimpong that serve as the insect's breeding grounds. The finding raises concern as the areas draw many tourists throughout the year. 'Whether Darjeeling or Kalimpong, both places are favourites among Bengalis on the tourism map, making them socio-economically significant. People visit these places throughout the year. Visitors may unknowingly get bitten by these blood-sucking flies while enjoying themselves. Although local people are more vulnerable to these flies, the risk of blindness remains a concern,' Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the Zoological Survey of India. ZSI scientists have, however, confirmed that no individual has so far been diagnosed with the infection called 'river blindness' in the region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the blindness caused by the worm called Onchocerca volvulus is among the most neglected tropical diseases. 'When these blood-sucking blackflies bite humans, the worms enter the human body from the fly. Initially, the worms form nodules under the skin. As they grow, they travel through the bloodstream to the eyes, ultimately resulting in blindness,' explained a scientist. The first step towards protecting people from the infection is to identify and control the vector – the black fly, and therefore, better identification of the disease carrier is essential for improved treatment, said the scientists at the Diptera division of the ZSI in a statement. 'These black flies of the Simuliidae family are extremely small. They are barely noticeable to the naked eye. Before one realises it, the fly has already sucked blood and departed. Many species in this family look almost identical externally. In scientific terms, distinguishing between two different species of Simuliidae flies based on external characteristics is quite difficult and time-consuming. Sometimes accurate species identification is not even possible,' said Dr Banerjee. Amid rising health concerns posed by the presence of the blackfly, researchers from the Diptera division have used DNA from these flies as a means of identification. The method employed for identifying the flies is called DNA barcoding. Dr Atanu Naskar, scientist at the ZSI's Diptera division, revealed that they conducted their research in eight locations across Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, which are part of the Central Himalayan region, and collected blackfly samples. After preliminary segregation based on external characteristics, DNA barcoding methods were used to identify the species. Ark Mukherjee, a senior research fellow at the Zoological Survey of India and one of the researchers involved in the blackfly study, explained, 'First, DNA was collected from the legs of the blackfly samples, and then that DNA was barcoded.'
