Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Stenothoe lowryi is a rare shrimp-like marine crustacean recently recorded in India for the first time. It was discovered at Arjyapalli Beach by researchers from Berhampur University, Odisha. Earlier, the species was known only from Malaysia waters. It belongs to family Stenothoidae under the order Amphipoda. Amphipods are small invertebrate crustaceans related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. They live in oceans, lakes, rivers, beaches, caves, and moist tropical habitats. The name Amphipoda means “different-footed” because they have different types of legs.

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Scientists from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new lichen moth species: Caulocera hollowayi and Asura buxa in the eastern Himalayas. Caulocera hollowayi was found near Golitar, Sikkim and identified through unique wing patterns, colour bands, and microscopic body structures. Asura buxa was discovered at Panijhora, West Bengal, recognised by distinct wing colours and unique internal anatomical features. Lichen moth caterpillars feed on lichens, organisms extremely sensitive to air pollution. Since lichens react quickly to polluted air, the presence or absence of these moths helps scientists monitor air quality and ecosystem health.

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Researchers in Silent Valley National Park discovered a freshwater crab species Vela carli showing both male and female traits at the same time. Vela carli is an endemic species found only in the forests and streams of the Central Western Ghats. It belongs to the family Gecarcinucidae, which includes freshwater crabs. The crab showed gynandromorphy, a rare condition where an organism has both male and female characteristics. Its body had male reproductive structures along with female features like gonopores. This phenomenon is extremely rare in crustaceans and has never been reported earlier in the Gecarcinucidae family.

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New research by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Stop Methane Project (SPM) using satellite data from Carbon Mapper found Turkmenistan has 15 of the top 25 methane-emitting oil and gas sites (2025), with 4,400+ methane plumes across 2,489 sites globally. Other major emission hotspots include Iran, Venezuela, Texas (USA) and Sindh (Pakistan), with emission rates ranging 3.7–10.5 tonnes/hour. In India, Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is a major super-emitter, with a peak leak of 400 tonnes/hour (2022) due to anaerobic decomposition of organic waste.

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The Madras High Court issued 34 directions to eradicate the invasive species Prosopis juliflora from Tamil Nadu. Prosopis juliflora is a mesquite shrub/tree (Fabaceae) native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, introduced in India during the British period. It is a highly invasive species with strong adaptability to varied soils (sand to clay, saline to alkaline) and wide rainfall conditions. The plant shows rapid growth and outcompetes native vegetation, leading to loss of biodiversity and degradation of grasslands.

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A pair of Shaheen Falcon was recently found nesting in a multi-storey residential complex in Kochi, highlighting its adaptability to urban environments. The Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) is a non-migratory subspecies of the Peregrine Falcon found mainly in the Indian subcontinent. It is found across India and also reported in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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The Assam Government is planning to create a new Reserved Forest adjacent to Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district, Assam, to strengthen conservation efforts. Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Assam and is part of the Laokhowa–Burhachapori ecosystem. It lies strategically between Kaziranga National Park (east), Orang National Park (west), and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (south). The region experiences a sub-tropical monsoon climate, supporting rich biodiversity.

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A new butterfly species Euthalia zubeengargi has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to the genus Euthalia, commonly found in South and Southeast Asia. It lives in semi-evergreen forests at elevations of 600–750 metres. It prefers cool, shaded forest interiors for survival. It has earthy brown wings with pale spots, typical of this group. It rests on low vegetation and feeds on tree sap and minerals near streams. It is active from late morning to early afternoon, making short slow flights.

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At the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, about 40 new species were added to the protected list category. The convention, also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme. It provides a global framework for conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. The convention was signed in Bonn, Germany on 23 June 1979.

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Rice’s Whale is a baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenopteridae and is closely related to Bryde’s whales. It was recognised as a distinct species in 2021, separate from other Bryde’s whales globally. It is the only whale species found year-round in the Gulf of Mexico. Its diet mainly consists of silver-rag driftfish. Major threats include oil drilling, vessel strikes, noise pollution, oil spills, and climate change. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Critically Endangered.