Platypus : New Fossils New fossils from South Australia reveal a new species of ancient platypus that still had teeth – something modern platypuses lost long ago. The platypus is a semi-aquatic egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus Platypuses occur in freshwater systems from tropical rainforest lowlands and plateaus of far […]
Category: Environment Current Affairs
New Species of Fireflies
New Species of Fireflies: Scientists recently discovered two previously unknown species of fireflies named Diaphanes meghalayanus and Diaphanes mawlynnong in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, marking the first formal documentation of such insects from the state. They are two new species of fireflies. They were discovered in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills. Meghalayanus has been named after […]
India Introduces Underground Coal Gasification
India Introduces Underground Coal Gasification: The Ministry of Coal signed Coal Mine/Block Production and Development Agreements (CMDPAs) with successful bidders for four coal mines, marking the first-ever inclusion of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) provisions in India’s commercial coal mining framework. UCG is an in-situ technology that converts coal into synthetic gas (syngas) underground within the […]
Eyespots in Marine Animals
Eyespots in Marine Animals: A recent study published in the journal Nature explains the evolutionary reasons behind the presence of “eyespots” in marine animals like skates and rays, used as a defence against predators. Eyespots are conspicuous, eye-like circular markings found on some animals that act as a visual defence mechanism by confusing, intimidating, or […]
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Forest officials recently arrested four suspected poachers from the Baliguda forest division of the Kotgarh wildlife sanctuary in Kandhamal. Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the Kandhamal district of Odisha. It’s classified as a moist deciduous forest in the Eastern Highlands. The sanctuary is home to some tribal settlements, including Kutia […]
Sacred Groves
Sacred Groves: The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) recently initiated a pilot restoration programme for sacred groves in collaboration with the local Biodiversity Management Committees. A sacred grove comprises patches of natural vegetation – from a few trees to several acres – that are dedicated to local deities or tree spirits. These spaces are protected […]
Peacock Tarantula
Peacock Tarantula: A scientific survey to assess the Peacock Tarantula has begun Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the rarest and most visually striking spiders in the world, famous for its metallic blue coloration. It is also known as the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula, named after the region where it […]
Nilgiri Tahr
Nilgiri Tahr: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has commenced the third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr The Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain ungulate endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. It is also known by the name Nilgiri Ibex or simply Ibex. Locally the animal is called ‘Varayaadu’. It is the only […]
Cyborg Botany
Cyborg Botany: Scientists across many institutions are exploring the cyborg botany field which transforms plants into living circuit boards. Cyborg Botany is a hybrid system that integrates living plants with electronic components. It is an intersection of biology, materials science, and engineering. The word ‘cyborg’ itself comes from ‘cybernetic organism’, a concept long associated with […]
Pushkarmema curajae
Pushkarmema curajae: Researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan recently identified a new species of cyanobacteria named Pushkarmema curajae from Pushkar Lake in Ajmer. It is a new species of cyanobacteria. It was identified from Pushkar Lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The genus name Pushkar and species name curajae are dedicated to Pushkar Lake and Central […]
