Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Psechrus ntu and Psechrus phenshunyu are two newly discovered spider species identified by the Zoological Survey of India. Both species belong to the genus Psechrus of the Psechridae family, known for building large horizontal sheet webs in moist forests. The spiders were discovered in Nagaland and named after the villages Ntu and Phenshunyu. They possess elongated flattened bodies, long anterior legs, and fine sensory hairs that help detect vibrations in dense forest habitats. The spiders build expansive sheet-like webs that act as prey-capture and environmental sensing platforms. Researchers also observed a rare heterospecific association where different spider species shared the same web.

Notes:
The ‘Lion’ Species Spotlight Event was inaugurated at Sasan Gir, Gujarat, as part of the pre-summit events for the International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026. India will host the first IBCA Summit 2026 in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026. International Big Cat Alliance focuses on conservation of seven big cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma. The event highlighted India’s successful Asiatic lion conservation efforts and promoted international cooperation among lion range countries. The estimated Asiatic lion population in the Greater Gir Landscape increased to 891 individuals in 2025, showing a 32% rise since 2020.

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India released its first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on 15 May 2026. The species, scientifically known as Nilssonia gangetica, is a freshwater turtle belonging to the Trionychidae family. It is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The turtle was released into the Brahmaputra River after fitting a satellite transmitter under veterinary supervision. Satellite tagging helps scientists study movement patterns, habitat use, and seasonal behaviour of the species.

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The historic Tungabhadra Dam near Hosapete has been restored after all 33 crest gates were replaced, nearly two years after Gate No. 19 was washed away. The dam is built across the Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the Krishna River.
It is located in Ballari district of Karnataka. The dam serves irrigation, hydropower generation, and flood control purposes. Its left canals irrigate areas in Karnataka, while right canals also benefit the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Tungabhadra Dam is one of the few reservoirs in India built using a combination of mud and limestone.

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National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management recently completed documentation and ground-truthing of most wetlands in Maharashtra. It was established in 2011 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as an autonomous institution for coastal conservation and management. Its headquarters is located in Chennai. The organisation promotes integrated and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems for the welfare of coastal communities.

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Scientists discovered a new species of tardigrade named Actinarctus odissi off the northeast coast of Odisha. The microscopic marine organism was found in the shallow waters of the Bay of Bengal near Markandi coast. Tardigrades are popularly known as “water bears.” The species name “odissi” honours Odissi. This is the first new discovery from the genus Actinarctus in 43 years. The species has a dome-shaped body with transparent wing-like structures called alae.

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Scientists recently discovered the physical mechanism behind the snapping action of the Venus flytrap. The study found that when the trap is stimulated, the outer cell walls rapidly soften by about 30–40%, making the tissue flexible and releasing internal stress that causes the trap to snap shut. Venus flytrap is a small perennial carnivorous plant belonging to the sundew family. It is native to North Carolina and South Carolina in the United States. The plant grows in moist, acidic, nutrient-poor soil and captures insects to obtain nutrients.

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The Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu has recently been in news due to concerns over garbage dumping in its river stretch at Madurai. It originates from the Varusanadu Hills of the Western Ghats and flows eastward across Tamil Nadu. The river passes through the historic city of Madurai and finally drains into the Palk Strait near Ramanathapuram district. It is supported by water diversion from the Periyar River via a tunnel from Kerala, enhancing its flow.

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Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of tiny blind freshwater fish in a dug-out well in Goalpara district of Assam near the Brahmaputra valley. The species has been named Gitchak nakana, with its name derived from Garo words meaning “blind fish.” The fish is translucent, pigmentless, and completely eyeless, and represents a new subterranean (underground water) species from India. It is the first aquifer-dwelling (phreatobitic) fish reported from Northeast India, highlighting a previously unknown underground ecosystem.

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Researchers have discovered a new genus and species of tiger moth named Antaram idukki in the southern Western Ghats. It was discovered in Idukki district, Kerala. So far, the species is known only from the Idukki region. Tiger moths play an important ecological role as pollinators, especially for plants that bloom at night. They also serve as a food source for birds, bats, and other wildlife.