Species in News

Stellaria mcclintockiae

The newly discovered plant species Stellariamcclintockiae in Kerala’s Nelliyampathy hills , Named in honor of Nobel laureate Barbara McClintock, known for her work on genetic transposition, this species is notable as the first Stellaria species identified in South India.

The plant is an annual herb and stands out due to its unique floral structures, including its petals, pollen, bracts, sepals, and seeds. These distinctive features likely played a key role in its classification and differentiation from other species within the Stellaria genus. Its discovery not only adds to the botanical diversity of the region but also highlights the rich, yet often underexplored, flora of South India.

Oedocladium sahyadricum

The discovery of the new algal species Oedocladium sahyadricum in the Western Ghats is an exciting addition to the region’s biodiversity. Named after the Sahyadri range—another name for the Western Ghats—this species highlights the ecological significance of the area. The Western Ghats, known for their rich plant diversity and favorable conditions for various forms of life, provide an ideal environment for terrestrial microalgae like Oedocladium sahyadricum.

This finding is particularly noteworthy because it marks the first record of an Oedocladium species in Kerala, underscoring the unique and underexplored aspects of the region’s algal flora. The presence of such a species contributes valuable information to our understanding of algal diversity and the ecological dynamics of the Western Ghats.

Tmesipteris oblanceolata

The fern Tmesipteris oblanceolata is remarkable for having the largest known genome of any plant species, with a staggering 160.45 billion base pairs (Gbp). This massive genome is over 50 times larger than the human genome, which highlights the extraordinary complexity and scale of its genetic material.

Found primarily on the ground or on fallen tree trunks in the island nation of New Caledonia, this rare fern thrives in its unique ecological niche. Its enormous genome size may play a role in its adaptability and survival in the specific conditions of its habitat. The discovery of such a species provides valuable insights into plant genetics and the evolutionary processes that shape biodiversity.

Catla

The fish species Catla (Catla catla) has gained notable recognition according to a recent United Nations report, which highlights it as one of the top 10 aquatic species harvested by humans in 2022. This non-predatory fish is known for its feeding habits, which are confined to the surface and mid-waters of aquatic environments.

Catla is a eurythermal species, meaning it can thrive in a range of temperatures, but it grows optimally in water temperatures between 25-32°C. Interestingly, its natural distribution is influenced more by temperature rather than by specific geographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude. Despite its widespread harvesting and ecological significance, Catla is classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction.

Przewalski's horse

Przewalski's horse is Native to the steppes of Central Asia, including Mongolia, this species had been declared Extinct in the Wild in the 1960s due to hunting and habitat loss. However, conservation efforts, including reintroduction programs in their native habitat, have been successful. As a result of these efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the Przewalski's horse from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered in 2011.