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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Parasitic creatures — living in spider egg sacs — found as new species in India
Across the regions of West Bengal, India, a group of researchers were on the hunt for the egg sacs of spiders. Between 2021 and 2023, they searched near farmland and natural environments alike until they found the groups of eggs. 'Spider egg sacs, along with guarding mother spiders, whenever encountered were collected from different localities in West Bengal,' researchers said in a study published June 23 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy. The researchers weren't after the spiders — they wanted the parasites hidden within. 'Each spider egg sac was carefully placed in a labelled vial and covered by muslin cloth,' researchers said. 'These vials were kept at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) in the lab for one month to monitor the emergence of spiderlings and parasitoids.' What emerged from the egg sacs were members of the Idris genus of parasitic wasps, according to the study. The group is known as 'gregarious' parasites, meaning more than one parasite is depositing in each host, in this case the egg sacs. When the wasps were reared from the eggs, they were revealed to belong to four new species, according to the study. The first new species is Idris bianor, named after the spider genus it parasitizes, according to the study. Its body length is just 0.02 to 0.03 inches long, researchers said, and its body is light brown, reddish brown and pale yellow with brownish black patches. The species is found in West Bengal, India, as well as in Pakistan, according to the study. Idris furvus, the second new species, was named after the Latin word for 'black,' and references its body color, according to the study. The wasp is predominantly black, with 'honey brown' legs and antennae, researchers said. The black Idris wasp is a bit larger than the bianor wasp, measuring 0.05 inches long, according to the study. The species has only been found in West Bengal, researchers said. The third new species is named Idris hyllus, again named after the host spider it parasitizes. The head and body are 'honey brown to yellow,' with 'pale yellow' mandibles that are 'reddish-brown' on the tip, according to the study. Only females of the species were discovered, researchers said. The last species, Idris longiscapus, was named after the 'elongated scape characteristic of this species,' or the section of antennae closest to the wasp's head, according to the study. Similar in size to the other species, the wasp is 'brownish black' with 'yellow' legs and antennae and white hairs on the body, researchers said. The species is found in West Bengal and Pakistan, researchers said. Parasitic wasps are a group of wasps that rely on other species to complete their life cycles, according to the University of Minnesota. They are all generally very small and lay eggs either in the eggs of another species or in another species itself the university said. Parasitic wasps don't build a hive or have a queen, and instead lead solitary lives that begin hidden. When the wasps emerge from a parasitized insect, the insect dies, according to the university. All four species were found in West Bengal, a state on the far eastern border of India, just west of Bangladesh. The research team includes V. Sushama, Rupam Debnath, K. Rajmohana and K.P. Dinesh.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
New jumping spider species discovered in southern India; possibly a first for rare genera, say researchers
A team of researchers has identified a new species of jumping spiders of the Spartaeinae subfamily in southern India, known for their intelligent hunting skills and web-invasion tactics. According to researchers, this discovery possibly marks the first time that the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita (specific groups within subfamily), previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa, have been found in India. The research, led by John Caleb T.D. from Saveetha Medical College in Chennai, has introduced a new species named Spartaeus karigiri, after Karigiri, or Elephant Hill, in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where the spiders were first observed. The male of this species was spotted hiding in crevices and rocky outcrops, while the female was found guarding an egg clutch in the wild. More specimens were also discovered in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district. The study, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on June 11, involved researchers from across India. Puthoor Pattammal Sudhin and Souvik Sen from the Zoological Survey of India documented the specimens through detailed drawings and imaging, while fieldwork was supported by B.G. Nisha from the Wildlife Aware Nature Club in Tumakuru, Gautam Kadam from Sacred Heart College in Cochin, Rajesh Sanap, naturalist and wildlife researcher, and Chinmay Maliye, wildlife enthusiast. According to Mr. Caleb, the discovery holds particular significance because Spartaeus and Sonoita have never before been recorded in India. These spiders, part of the Salticidae family, are known for their keen eyesight and unique hunting methods, often deceiving other spiders by mimicking prey. In addition, Sonoita cf. lightfooti, a species previously thought to be confined to Africa, was also identified in Karnataka. This raises questions about whether it is a natural range extension or an introduced population, said Mr. Caleb. The study also resolved a longstanding taxonomic confusion. The species Marpissa gangasagarensis, described in 2005 from Gangasagar, West Bengal, was confirmed to be the same as Phaeacius fimbriatus, a species first described in 1900, following careful examination of historical museum specimens, the study noted. With these findings, India's spider fauna under the Spartaeinae subfamily has grown to 15 species across 10 genera. Despite these advancements, the study pointed out, much of India's varied terrain remains under-studied, with many more species waiting to be uncovered.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
King Cobra mystery solved after 188 years! Scientists reveal it's actually four deadly species
King Cobra mystery solved after 188 years! Scientists reveal it's actually four deadly species For nearly two centuries, the mighty king cobra revered in folklore and feared in the wild was thought to be a single, monolithic species: Ophiophagus hannah. This fearsome serpent, capable of growing over 18 feet long and delivering a venom potent enough to kill a human in minutes, has captured imaginations across the globe. But recent scientific evidence has shattered this long-held presumption. The king cobra is not one, but four separate species, according to a landmark paper published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on October 16, 2023. This breakthrough is the culmination of decades of genetic and morphological study, supplanting centuries of taxonomic convention and providing new insight into one of the world's most mysterious reptiles. King Cobra mystery ends: Scientists officially name 4 distinct species The origins of this revelation are in a 2021 study that exhaustively analysed DNA throughout the full known distribution range of the king cobra, as reported by Live Science. That genetic study found four distinct lineages, but so far, those lineages have only been designated as "confirmed candidate species," without formal morphological proof and names. To add to that research, scientists consulted 153 museum specimens, studying their body forms, patterned scales, color, dentition, and banding. That combined morphological and genetic method has now resulted in formal classification of four species: Northern King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) Western Ghats King Cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga) Luzon King Cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana) The four King Cobras: A breakdown of the species 1. Northern King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Range: Sub-Himalayas, eastern India, Myanmar, Indochina, and the Kra Isthmus of Thailand Features: Dark-edged yellow bands, 18-21 teeth, with an almost band-less head and neck Significance: This is most geographically distributed of the group and still keeps the original scientific name. 2. Sunda King Cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) Range: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Mindoro (Philippines) Features: Typically unbanded or narrow pale bands with dark margins; distinguished by body size Distinctive Trait: One of the most structurally homogeneous of the four, this species shows little banding in most specimens . 3. Western Ghats King Cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga) Range: Western Ghats, India Features: Wide pale bands without dark edges; separable from O. bungarus by superficial differences Notable: It is the first endemic species documented solely in India's Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. 4. Luzon King Cobra (Ophiophagus salvatana) Range: Luzon Island, Philippines Features: Angular pale body bands that are sharply different from the other species Unique Feature: Striking contrast and band structure distinguish it clearly from other lineages. King Cobra split sparks race for region-specific antivenoms According to Live Science , all four of these snakes continue to be among the most venomous reptiles on the planet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alarma con Aviso Inmediato a Policía Movistar Prosegur Alarmas Haz clic aquí Undo King cobras inject a large amount of very powerful neurotoxic venom per bite, enough to kill a full-grown human being in less than 15 minutes. Previously, antivenoms were produced under the belief that there was only one species present. With the taxonomy being brought up to date, researchers hope this information can greatly enhance region-specific antivenom development and research. Targeted venom profiling can potentially result in safer and more effective antivenoms tailored to the actual snake species found in each region. 'This is a huge leap toward understanding how to save lives from bites in different habitats,' said lead author Gowri Shankar Pogiri, founder of the Kalinga Foundation. Scientists say more King Cobras await discovery This research could just be the tip of the iceberg. According to Gowri Shankar and his team, published in Live Science , there could be other yet-to-be-discovered king cobra species hiding on other tiny islands throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Researchers are already in the field testing whether other local populations are also distinct species. 'We're already studying some of these island groups,' Pogiri told Mongabay. 'There's a high chance we're just scratching the surface.' New cobras, new challenges: Conservationists sound the alarm This discovery has vast implications beyond the lab and the clinic. Species identification is critical for conservation planning, particularly in biodiversity-rich but ecologically threatened regions like the Western Ghats and the Philippines. Individualized conservation efforts can now be tailored for each newly identified species. Most of these snakes are already under stress from habitat loss, skin and medicinal poaching, as well as human-wildlife conflict. Separating the species could promote some to endangered or critically endangered levels on international conservation platforms.
Miami Herald
10-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Five-armed creature — covered in ‘axes' — found off Taiwan. See the new species
In the rocky intertidal zones along the coast of Taiwan, a five-armed creature scuttles along the seafloor. Its brown, green and black body blends in with the colorful rocks as it glides across the bottom. The animal is a brittle star — and a new species. Brittle stars, or ophiurida, may look like classic starfish, but their long and flexible arms set them apart from their more rigid cousins. They can move quickly thanks to muscles that move a series of vertebrae-like structures linked together with ball-and-socket joints, according to the University of California at Berkeley. The new brittle star was collected off the southern coast of Taiwan and around a few barrier islands, according to a study published June 6 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy. The animal's central structure, or dorsal disc, is 'covered with fine granules,' according to the study, while the arms are covered in spines. The long arms are made up of spiny plates that fit together like puzzle pieces, photos show. The pattern on the arms also gives the new species its name, researchers said. Breviturma securis, or the axe brittle star, derives its name from the Latin word 'securis' meaning axe, 'referencing the axe-shaped dark patterns on the dorsal arm plates,' according to the study. The body as a whole is 'yellowish-gray to greenish-gray' with 'lighter and darker patches,' researchers said. 'These regions are adorned with discontinuous short dark lines that never form a reticular pattern,' according to the study. 'In juveniles, a dark 'star' may occasionally appear at the center of the disc but never connects to the arm base.' The brittle stars live in the sandy material below rocks from intertidal zones to shallow waters around 25 feet deep, researchers said. They are also commonly found in the same areas as other related brittle star species. Breviturma securis was previously misidentified as another species and appeared in a series of field guides and photographs under the wrong name, according to the study. The new research, with DNA confirmation, will allow these resources to be updated, researchers said. The holotype, or primary specimen used to describe the new species, was found in Taitung County on Taiwan's southeastern coast. The research team includes Kai Chang and Hsi-Te Shih.
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Pregnant creature found in ‘rotting leaves' on Vietnam peak. It's a new species
As night stretched across a mountain in southern Vietnam, a pregnant creature waited under some 'rotting leaves.' But its hiding place wasn't hidden enough. Visiting scientists found the 'orange-tailed' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers trekked up Tà Cú Mountain several times between 2018 and 2020 to search for wildlife. The 'isolated mountain' was already known to have three native species of lizard, so the team suspected it might have even more biodiversity, according to a study published May 14 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy. During their night hikes, researchers spotted some orange tails peeking out from the bushes and found several unfamiliar-looking lizards. They took a closer look at the lizards, tested their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Scincella auranticaudata, or the orange-tailed ground skink. Orange-tailed ground skinks are considered 'medium'-sized, reaching about 6 inches in length, the study said. They have 'robust' bodies with 'short' snouts and yellow-tinged eyes. Photos show the coloring of the new species. Its upper body has a mixture of brown and bright orange becoming more brown toward the middle of its body then fading to pale orange on its tail. Some 'large black spots' also run down its back. Seen from below, it has a 'pink' and 'yellowish' belly. Researchers said they named the new species after the Latin words for 'orange-colored' and 'tail' because of its vibrant tail. Orange-tailed ground skinks were found at night 'on the ground among rotting leaves in evergreen forest on a mountain slope' at elevations of about 1,700 feet, researchers said. Two female skinks were found pregnant. Much about the lifestyle of orange-tailed ground skinks remains unknown. So far, the new species has only been found on Tà Cú Mountain, also spelled Ta Kou Mountain, in Bình Thuận Province of southern Vietnam and a roughly 105-mile drive east from Ho Chi Minh City. A 2021 YouTube video shared by 24 Go Somewhere shows a hike up Tà Cú Mountain. The new species was identified by its size, scale pattern, finger and toe shape, genitalia, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 9% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Sang Ngoc Nguyen, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Manh Van Le, Vu Dang Hoang Nguyen, Khanh Duy Phan, Thi-Dieu-Hien Vo, Robert Murphy and Jing Che. The team also discovered a second new species: the Hon Ba ground skink.
