Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Daryapur arachnologist unveils Peucetia chhaparajnirvin, a new green lynx spider species. Found in Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan, it’s named after the locale. Typically dwelling on Vachellia nilotica leaves, its green hue aids camouflage for ambushing prey. With swift legs, it hunts nocturnally, feasting on small insects. Lynx spiders, known for their active hunting style sans webs, belong to the family Oxyopidae in the order Araneida.

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A new study highlights Red colobus as key to tropical forest conservation. Imperiled across Africa, they’re vital biodiversity indicators and one of two major simian groups globally. Facing extinction due to hunting and habitat loss, over half are Endangered or Critically Endangered. The Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, led by IUCN, aims to prioritize their conservation, safeguarding Africa’s forests and curbing unsustainable hunting.

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Ritacuba Blanco, Colombia’s iconic mountain peak, has witnessed drastic changes due to climate change and the El Niño weather phenomenon. Once covered in pristine ice and snow, the glacier now reveals large cracks and receding walls. Experts warn of accelerated melting, exacerbated by greenhouse gases. With only six glaciers remaining of the original 14, Ritacuba Blanco in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy National Park faces imminent risk, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

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Every May 10, the International Day of Argania is celebrated worldwide, honoring the ancient Argan tree that has thrived in Morocco for 80 million years. These trees are vital to the local economy and environment. The day aims to raise awareness of their significance, benefits, and the challenges they encounter.

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The Silver Croaker, a top fish predator in Jaguari reservoir, Jaguari River, and Rio do Peixe, has led to a significant decline in native species diversity. Its impact on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic structure has been detrimental. This large predatory fish, native to the Amazon, is rare among freshwater croakers, characterized by its silvery scales. Vital for subsistence and sport fishing, its decline poses ecological concerns for the region’s biodiversity.

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The number of endangered Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal has nearly doubled since 2020. This lynx, known for its pointy ears, long legs, and spotted fur, is the world’s most endangered feline. It is sexually dimorphic and primarily nocturnal. Once widespread in the Iberian Peninsula, it now faces threats from human activities. Conservation efforts have improved its population, but it remains endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

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A red panda was recently sighted in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. This herbivore species uses its bushy tail for balance and warmth. It’s shy, arboreal, and an ecological indicator. Resembling a house cat, it inhabits mountainous forests across Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal, with half its habitat in the Eastern Himalayas. Threatened by habitat loss, it’s classified as Endangered by IUCN, listed on CITES Appendix I, and protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

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The 10th Wild Ass Population Estimation (WAPE) exercise was conducted by the Gujarat forest department on May 21–22, 2024. The WAPE exercise is conducted every five years to estimate the population of Indian wild asses, also known as Equus Hemionus Khur, in the Little Rann of Kutch. During the 2024 exercise, officers scanned 15,500 square kilometers using drones to count the wild asses.

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Prehistoric artifacts made from fossil wood were found in Ghughwa National Fossil Park, Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh. Established as a National Park in 1983, it features tropical dry deciduous landscape. Fossils here date between 40 to 150 million years, including preserved eucalyptus, date palm, neem, climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, and a dinosaur egg fossil. Early humans used fossilized tree trunks for tools.

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Indian researchers have recently uncovered a new ant species, Paraparatrechina neela, in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Siang Valley. Belonging to the rare genus Paraparatrechina, this species is distinguished by its metallic blue color, reflected in its name “neela,” meaning blue in many Indian languages. It marks the first discovery of a new Paraparatrechina species in 121 years, showcasing its unique features like a subtriangular head and distinct coloration.