Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently documented nine new species, including jumping spiders and damselflies, at the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary:
What it is?
- Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected landscape in Tamil Nadu, often referred to as the High Wavy Mountains. Since 2021, it has been a core component of the Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR), which is India’s 51st tiger reserve.
Established In: The sanctuary was formally part of the SMTR notification in 2021, though its Eco-Sensitive Zone was previously gazetted in 2018.
Habitat:
The sanctuary is a mosaic of diverse ecosystems, including:
- Montane Shola Forests and high-altitude grasslands.
- Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests.
- Tea and Cardamom Plantations interspersed with natural vegetation.
Rivers Flowing Through:
The landscape acts as a critical watershed for southern Tamil Nadu. Key rivers include:
- Vaigai: The lifeline of several southern districts.
- Suruliyaru and Shanmuganathi: Major tributaries that converge at the Vaigai Dam.
- Ephemeral Streams: Includes Arjuna Nadhi, Mudangiar, and Gundar, which support local agriculture and drinking water needs.
Key Features:
- Strategic Location: It forms a continuous elephant and tiger corridor connecting the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala with the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Sanctuary in Srivilliputhur.
- Bio-Indicators: The presence of specific mayflies and amphibians serves as a natural gauge for water quality and habitat stability.
- Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ): The sanctuary maintains a protective buffer (ESZ) ranging from 0 km to 1.70 km to minimize human-wildlife conflict.
Species Identified:
The ZSI survey documented 977 species, with the following nine being entirely new to science:
- Jumping Spider: Stenaelurillus megamalai.
- Mayflies: Edmundsula meghamalaiensis.
- Damselfly: Thraulus vellimalaiensis – Protosticta sholai (endemic to the region).
- Bark Lice & Cockroaches: Allacta vellimalai and Lachesilla vellimalai.
- Other Notable Fauna: Megamalai rock gecko (Hemidactylus vanam), and historical records of the Critically Endangered Malabar Civet.
