Onitis bordati:
Researchers have identified a previously unknown dung beetle species, Onitis bordati, in the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya.
- Onitis bordati is a dung beetle species belonging to the genus Onitis.
- Males of most species have distinctive forelegs that are long, slender and curved, often with teeth or spines.
- The species belonging to the genus Onitis are tunnellers. Males of most species have distinctive forelegs that are long, slender and curved, often with teeth or spines.
- Dung beetle species were previously only found in Vietnam and Thailand.
- They are known for their ecological functions, such as seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control, and plant growth.
- Habitat destruction and climate change pose significant threats.
Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Sanctuary falls in the Eastern Himalayan Global bio-diversity hot spot and located in the state of Meghalaya.
- The area consists of undulating plains to low hills, which are part of the Archaean Meghalaya Plateau.
- The area has become broken and rugged, especially towards the west and north, because of continuous erosion by the rivers Umtrew, Umran, Umling, Umtasor and other smaller streams.
- The Umtrew is the main river of the area and the rest named above are its tributaries. The Umtrew also marks the western boundary of the Reserve Forest and the Sanctuary.
