Researchers from India and Sri Lanka, including Athira Jose, Prof
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biodiversity & conservation· Prelims·
Why in news
Researchers from India and Sri Lanka discovered three new jumping spider species and rediscovered a fourth in the Western Ghats and Sri Lankan forests.
Background
The study, published in the journal Zootaxa, identified three new species: Onomastus brahmagiri (Brahmagiri Hills), O. silentvalley (Silent Valley National Park), and O. wijesinghei (Sri Lankan mountain forests). It also confirmed the rediscovery of O. patellaris in Tamil Nadu after more than 100 years.
Facts for Prelims
- EnvironmentOnomastus brahmagiri: New jumping spider species discovered in the Brahmagiri Hills.
- EnvironmentOnomastus silentvalley: New jumping spider species discovered in Silent Valley National Park.
- EnvironmentOnomastus wijesinghei: New jumping spider species discovered in Sri Lankan mountain forests.
- EnvironmentOnomastus patellaris: Rediscovered in Tamil Nadu after over a century.
- PlaceSilent Valley National Park: Located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India.
For Mains
Q. Discuss how the discovery of new species in the Western Ghats highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation amidst escalating climate change threats.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Habitat fragmentation: Encroachment and monoculture plantations reducing niche availability for montane forest fauna
- Climate vulnerability: Rising temperatures altering the micro-climates of high-altitude and montane ecosystems
- Transboundary conservation: Necessity of collaborative biodiversity monitoring between India and Sri Lanka for shared ecological corridors
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation · Endemism · Montane ecosystems · Climate change mitigation · Species rediscovery
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