Species in News
Source: TH Context: The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) in Andhra Pradesh, India, is witnessing an increase in the population of the endangered Fishing Cat, attributed to its thriving mangrove ecosystem. The sanctuary is set to host India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project, aimed at studying the behaviour and ecology of this elusive species, crucial for …
Source: IE Context: A recent study highlights the ecological role of endangered southern sea otters in controlling the invasive green crab population at Elkhorn Slough, California. About Sea Otter: What it is: An aquatic member of the weasel family (Mustelidae), primarily found along Pacific Ocean coasts in North America and Asia. Scientific name: Enhydra lutris. …
Source: TH Context: The discovery of Yana, a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth in the melting permafrost of Yakutia, Russia, is one of the most exceptional finds in palaeontology. About Mammoth: What it is: Mammoths are extinct species of the elephantid genus Mammuthus, known for their large size and adaptations to cold climates. Scientific Name: Mammuthus primigenius …
Source: TH Context: The lion-tailed macaque endemic to the Western Ghats, faces growing threats from increased human interaction due to habitat encroachment, tourism, and road crossings. About Lion-Tailed Macaque: What it is: Scientific name: Macaca silenus An Old-World monkey named for its lion-like tufted tail and grey mane, also called a bearded monkey. Known for …
Source: TH Context: Cephalopods, like octopuses and squids, are gaining attention for their intelligence, prompting calls for humane treatment regulations akin to those for vertebrates. About Cephalopods: Classification: Belong to the class Cephalopoda in the phylum Mollusca. Includes species like Octopus vulgaris, Sepia officinalis, and Architeuthis dux (giant squid). What they are: Marine invertebrates with …
Source: IE Context: The United States successfully eradicated the invasive Northern Giant Hornet, commonly known as the “Murder Hornet,” which posed significant threats to native pollinators and agriculture. About Murder Hornet (Northern Giant Hornet) Scientific name: Vespa mandarinia. Habitat: Native to Asia; prefers forested areas and underground cavities for nesting. Features: Up to 2 inches …
Source: TH Context: For the first time, Indian wildlife experts successfully tagged a Ganges River dolphin, marking a historic milestone in the conservation of this endangered species. The initiative under Project Dolphin, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Aim: To track the dolphin’s movement, habitat use, and migratory patterns using advanced …
Source: HT Context: A Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni), a rare and Critically Endangered species, was sighted for the first time in northern India at Delhi’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park. About Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat: What it is: A free-tailed bat species first discovered in 1913, known for its powerful flight and preference for cave-like roosting habitats. …
Source: TH Context: Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles continue to wash ashore along the Visakhapatnam coast during their breeding season. Experts attribute the deaths to marine pollution and accidental entanglement in fishing trawlers. About Olive Ridley Turtles: Smallest and Most Abundant: They are the smallest and most abundant sea turtles globally. Name Origin: Lepidochelys olivacea. …
Source: Sci.news Context: The Atacama Trench, among the deepest oceanic regions, reveals unique biodiversity with the discovery of Dulcibella camanchaca, a new predatory amphipod. About Dulcibella camanchaca: Found In: Atacama Trench, South Pacific Ocean, at a depth of 7,902 meters. Features: Equipped with raptorial appendages for capturing prey. Active predator feeding on smaller amphipods in …
Source: TH Context: The Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), an endangered species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, faces threats from illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Recent research highlights its genetic diversity, offering insights into conservation strategies. About Indian Star Tortoise: Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans IUCN Status: Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List. Types: Northwestern …
Source: TH Context: Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, has set a world record as the oldest wild bird, continuing to contribute to her species’ survival. About Laysan Albatross: Name: Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) It is a pelagic bird found predominantly in the North Pacific Ocean. Region found in: Primarily the North Pacific Ocean, with 99.7% …
Source: IE Context: Asiatic Lions, with their entire population of 674 residing in Gujarat, exemplify a unique model of human-wildlife coexistence driven by cultural, economic, and legal factors. Why Asiatic Lions Are Only Found in Gujarat? Historic Habitat Shrinkage: Asiatic Lions, once widespread from the Middle East to India, are now confined to Gujarat’s Gir …
Source: TOI Context: A Siberian Demoiselle crane, nicknamed Sukpak, has set a new migratory record by flying 3,676 km to Khichan in Rajasthan, surpassing the previous distance of 2,800 km. About Siberian Demoiselle Crane: Scientific Name: Anthropoides virgo (also referred to as Grus virgo). Breeding Range: Central Asia to Mongolia, east to Northeast China. Wintering …
Source: DTE Context: Researchers at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya have discovered that the Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae can degrade polystyrene plastic, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution. About Mealworm Larvae: Species: The Kenyan lesser mealworm is the larval form of the Alphitobius darkling beetle. Habitat: Found in poultry …
Source: IE Context: The African Penguin, or Cape Penguin, is now “Endangered” per the IUCN, with under 10,000 breeding pairs, mostly in South Africa. Conservationists warn of possible extinction in the wild by 2035. About African Penguin: Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus. Endemic Region: Southern Africa; primarily South Africa and Namibia. Habitat: Found within 40 km …
Source: TH Context: Research found that pathogen spillover from managed honey bees to wild pollinators poses a serious threat, with shared habitats facilitating disease transmission and endangering pollinator ecosystems. About Thai Sacbrood Virus: Impact on Bees: Devastated 90% of Asiatic honeybee colonies in South India (1991–1992) and reemerged in Telangana in 2021. Symptoms: Kills larvae, …
Source: TH Context: In Mayong village, Morigaon district, Assam, a unique community-driven conservation initiative has established an ideal habitat for the oriental pied hornbill, showcasing exemplary efforts in biodiversity conservation. About Mayong Village Initiative: Community conservation: Villagers collectively support the nesting and breeding of oriental pied hornbills, ensuring their safety and well-being. Plantation drive: Fruit-bearing …
Source: TH Context: A comprehensive study covering 52 years has revealed a dramatic decline in African elephant populations, with savannah elephants experiencing a 70% decrease and forest elephants suffering a 90% decline. About African Elephants: Classification: Largest land animals, native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Two subspecies: African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana) and African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta …
Source: TOI Context: A groundbreaking discovery reveals that the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi has the unique ability to reverse its aging process by regressing from an adult stage back to a larval form under stress. About Comb jellies: Classification: Marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Ctenophora, distinct from jellyfish. Physical traits: Characterized by rows of …
