Daily News Analysis

Isopod 

stylish_lining

An international team of marine biologists recently discovered a unique isopod, a form of crustacean, that has been formally identified as a new species of the genus Booralana.

  • Isopods are an order of invertebrates (animals without backbones) that belong to the greater crustacean group of animals, which includes crabs and shrimp.
  • Scientists estimate that there are around 10,000 species of isopods (all belonging to the order “Isopoda”). 
  • They also live in many different types of habitats, from mountains and deserts to the deep sea, and they are distributed worldwide.
  • Features:
    • They are one of the most morphologically diverse of all the crustacean groups, coming in many different shapes and sizes and ranging from micrometers to a half-meter in length.
    • Isopods often do not look alike, but they do have common features. For example, all isopods have two pairs of antennae, compound eyes, and four sets of jaws.
    • The body of all isopods consists of seven segments, each with its own pair of walking legs.
    • Isopods have a short abdominal section composed of six segments, called “pleons,” and one or more of these segments is fused into a tail section.
    • Each pleon has a set of biramous (branching in two) limbs called “pleopods” that are used for swimming and respiration.
    • About half of the known species of isopods live in the ocean. Others live in coastal and shelf waters, moving around on the seafloor or living in plants.
    • Most are free-living, but a number of marine species are parasitic on other animals.

Crustaceans? 

Crustaceans (make up a very large group of the Arthropods which include the crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill, barnacles, brine shrimp, copepods, ostracods and mantis shrimp. They are invertebrates with a hard exoskeleton (carapace), a segmented body that is bilaterally symmetrical, more than four pairs of jointed appendages. Crustaceans are found in a wide range of habitats - most are free-living freshwater or marine animals, but some are terrestrial (e.g. woodlice), some are parasitic (e.g. fish lice) and some do not move (e.g. barnacles)

Global Power Dynamics

India’s aspiration to become a global power is a compelling journey marked by both significant challenges and substantial opportunities. As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,
Share It

India Electric Mobility Index

The NITI Aayog report “Unlocking a 200 Billion Dollar Opportunity: Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India” and the launch of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) highlight both the poten
Share It

Indian Ports Act, 2025

Why is the Indian Ports Act, 2025 in the News? The President of India has granted assent to the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which replaces the previous Indian Ports Act of 1908. This new Act aims t
Share It

Private Sector in Defense Production

The growth in private sector participation in India's defense production marks a significant shift in the country’s defense strategy and industrial landscape. The private sector share in
Share It

India-Mauritius

The visit of the Prime Minister of Mauritius to Varanasi marked a significant milestone in strengthening the India-Mauritius bilateral ties. Describing India as a trusted partner in Mauritius'
Share It

solar manufacturing ecosystem

India's ambitious plan to develop a fully indigenous solar manufacturing ecosystem by 2028 is an essential step towards achieving energy security, sustainability, and enhancing its position as
Share It

Political Unrest in Nepal

Nepal’s ongoing political unrest, exacerbated by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation and youth-led protests, has created a volatile environment that directly impacts India&rsqu
Share It

Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers

Karnataka has recently passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of gig workers. Key Provisions of t
Share It

Income Tax Act 2025

The Income Tax Act, 2025 has received Presidential assent and will replace the Income Tax Act, 1961. The new Act is designed to simplify tax laws, modernize existing provisions, and improve the ef
Share It

Cotton Sector

The Union Government has taken significant steps to support the cotton sector in India, addressing key challenges related to rising imports, farmer welfare, and low domestic production. These meas
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS