Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers recently discovered two new cave-dwelling micro-snail species, Georissa meghalayaensis and Acmella bensoni, in Meghalaya. The discovery was made in the limestone caves of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Georissa meghalayaensis was found near the entrance of Krem Puri Cave and is characterized by its orangish-red shell and mesh-like ridges. Acmella bensoni was discovered in Krem Puri and Arwah Cave. It has a small, whitish, translucent shell with fine rib patterns. The species was named after William H. Benson, a renowned 19th-century malacologist.

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The Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica) is spreading rapidly in Tirunavaya panchayat, Kerala, including school campuses. It is considered one of the world’s worst invasive species. It is native to East Africa but has spread globally through the pet trade, food use, and accidental introduction. It thrives in warm, humid tropical climates. It is found in agricultural fields, wetlands, forests, scrublands, coastal areas, and urban regions.

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Scientists at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi discovered a new deep-sea fish species named Cyttopsis indica. It was found in the Arabian Sea off southern Kerala. It belongs to the genus Cyttopsis, commonly known as dories. It has been given the common name Indian Dory. It survives deep-sea pressure by storing high levels of waxy compounds, making it unsuitable for direct human consumption.

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Cyananthus hookeri, a rare Himalayan flowering plant, has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh after 158 years, marking its first confirmed sighting in India since 1867. The species was discovered by scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) near Chuna Valley, Mago village, in Tawang district at an altitude of about 3,600 metres. It belongs to the Campanulaceae (bellflower) family and bears purple-blue flowers. The plant was last recorded in India by Joseph Dalton Hooker in Sikkim in 1867. The species is also found in Bhutan, Nepal, and China, while Arunachal Pradesh forms part of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot.

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An expert committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended against the proposed 2,000 MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project due to its likely impact on the Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary. The Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary is located in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district in the Western Ghats. It was formed by merging the Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Aghanashini Lion-Tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve, and adjoining reserve forests.

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Researchers recently discovered Sheathia meghalayensis, a new species of freshwater red algae, near Crinoline Waterfalls in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Freshwater red algae are bioindicators of clean, oxygen-rich, undisturbed freshwater ecosystems. They produce bioactive compounds with antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumour properties, making them valuable in pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and biotechnology. Earlier, only two Sheathia species—Sheathia indonepalensis and Sheathia assamica—had been recorded from Northeast India, both in Assam. Researchers have proposed Sheathia meghalayensis for Critically Endangered status.

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Researchers discovered a new insect species named Trachynotothrips vyaghravahini in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. The species name vyaghravahini comes from Sanskrit words ‘vyaghra’ (tiger) and ‘vahini’ (flowing river), referring to the historical association of Pilikula with a river where tigers visited. It differs from related species due to its pale midsection, pale hind legs, absence of spine-like abdominal hairs, and unique arrangement of microscopic bristles. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.

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Researchers from India and Sri Lanka discovered three new species of rare jumping spiders belonging to the genus Onomastus. The newly identified species are Onomastus brahmagiri from the Brahmagiri Hills of Western Ghats (India), Onomastus silentvalley from Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, and Onomastus wijesinghei from montane forests of Sri Lanka. The genus Onomastus represents one of the oldest lineages of jumping spiders and is restricted to the Oriental region. These spiders are found only in isolated montane forests with limited dispersal ability. The discovery supports the “sky island” concept, where isolated mountain habitats promote geographical isolation, speciation, and endemism.

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Researchers have discovered two new species of solitary bees- Elaphropoda triangulata and Habropoda adi- in Arunachal Pradesh. Elaphropoda triangulata is named after the triangle-shaped markings on its abdomen. Habropoda adi is named after the Adi indigenous community of Arunachal Pradesh. Solitary bees are important pollinators, supporting biodiversity and agriculture. Unlike honeybees, they do not live in colonies and usually nest alone.

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The West Bengal Government recently decided to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary from 5 km to 1 km. The sanctuary is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It lies in the foothills of the Himalayas, between the Teesta and Mahananda rivers. It was primarily created to protect the Indian Bison (Gaur) and the Royal Bengal Tiger. Its vegetation ranges from riverine forests to dense mixed wet forests.