New Blue-Spotted Damselfly Discovered in the Andaman Islands

Context: Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India and the University of Madras have discovered a new species of damselfly, Mortonagrion santha, in the Andaman Islands.

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• The species was discovered in Dasarathpur, Rangat Tehsil in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

• It was first observed in 2017 and subsequently confirmed through specimen collections in 2019. 

• The species is named after Indian entomologist P. Santhakumar. 

About Mortonagrion santha

• Belongs to the genus Mortonagrion, comprising small and secretive damselflies inhabiting freshwater wetlands and vegetated habitats. 

• It differs from its closest known relative, Mortonagrion arthuri, by: 

• Pale-blue crescent-shaped spots behind the eyes. 
• A distinctive blue marking on the ninth abdominal segment. 
• Unique prothorax and male appendage structures. 

Eechathalakenda incognita: New Fish Species Discovered in Western Ghats

Context: Scientists have discovered a new freshwater fish species, Eechathalakenda incognita, from the Periyar Tiger Reserve, resolving a decades-old taxonomic puzzle.

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• The species was discovered in streams within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, in the Western Ghats. 

• It had been mistakenly identified as Eechathalakenda ophicephala for nearly 70 years. 

• Detailed morphological and DNA analyses confirmed that the Periyar population represents a distinct species. 

• The discovery makes E. incognita the ninth point-endemic fish species known from Periyar Tiger Reserve. 

About Eechathalakenda incognita

• E. ophicephala possesses rhomboid-shaped scales. 

• E. incognita is distinguished by: 

• Circular scales on the upper body. 
• A prominent dark lateral stripe. 
• Differences in fin-ray counts and genetic makeup. 

• Both species are narrowly endemic, with E. ophicephala restricted to the upper Pamba River and E. incognita to streams within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. 

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis: New Snake Eel Species Discovered

Context: Scientists have discovered a new species of snake eel, Bascanichthys chepakakiensis, from the Bay of Bengal, taking the total number of known species in the genus Bascanichthys to 20.

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• The specimen was collected from catches landed at Kakinada Fishing Harbour on India's east coast. 

• The discovery was made by researchers from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and the Zoological Survey of India. 

• The species name combines the Telugu word “chepa” (fish) and “Kaki” (derived from Kakinada), referring to its place of discovery. 

About the Species

• Belongs to the snake eel family (Ophichthidae). 

• An extremely long and slender eel with a distinctive bicoloured body. 

• Characterised by a shorter snout, unique tooth arrangement, fewer pre-anal vertebrae, and tiny flap-like pectoral fins. 

• Differs from its closest known relative, Bascanichthys deraniyagalai, in fin position, tail length, and snout morphology.

ZSI Discovers 2 New Hoverfly Species 

Context: Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of hoverflies—Eristalinus sapphirinus and Eristalinus brunettii—from the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal. 

About the New Species 

• Eristalinus sapphirinus is named for its striking sapphire-blue metallic colouration. 

• Eristalinus brunettii honours Enrico Adelelmo Brunetti, recognising his pioneering contributions to the study of Indian flies (Diptera).

Significance

• The discoveries, published in the European Journal of Taxonomy, represent the first major addition to India's Eristalinus diversity since Brunetti's landmark work in 1923. 

• Hoverflies (Family: Syrphidae) are important pollinators and contribute to ecosystem health. 

Ecological Role of Hoverflies

• Adult hoverflies help pollinate both wild and cultivated plants. 

• Their larvae, known as "rat-tailed maggots", inhabit aquatic environments where they decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients.

Anaphalis sahyadrica: New Plant Species Discovered in the Western Ghats

Context: A new plant species, Anaphalis sahyadrica, belonging to the Asteraceae (sunflower/daisy family), has been discovered in the southern Western Ghats.

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• The species was found in high-altitude montane grasslands and shola forest margins, including Anamudi and Meesapulimala in Kerala.

• The discovery enriches the known floral diversity of the Western Ghats, one of the world's major biodiversity hotspots. 

About Anaphalis Sahyadrica 

• It is a subshrub that grows at elevations above 2,200 metres above sea level.

• Possesses smooth, hairless leaves with three distinct veins.

• The plant grows up to about one metre in height and produces 90 to 120 white, hemispherical flower heads (capitula).