2 new Species of Snails discovered in Western Ghats

Two different discoveries conducted by separate groups of researchers have identified 2-endemic species of snails from the West Ghats region.

• A species of nocturnal semi slug called as “Varadia amboliensis”, which is new to science world
• The “Snail of Sahyadri” which is compared to tiger due to its unique carnivore characters was discovered for the 1st time in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats region

Varadia ambopliensis:

i.The species has the ability to detect slightest climatic fluctuations & have a unique genetal anatomy

ii.It is named after famous Maharashtra- based taxonomist Varad Giri

iii.Zoologist Amrut R. Bhosale from Shivaji University, Kolhapur is the primary author of the research, which was published in the ‘European Journal of Taxonomy’

Perrottetia rajeshgopali:

i.It is named after Indian Tiger conservationist ‘Rajesh Gopal’, the current secretary-general of the Global Tiger Forum.

ii.Scientists have been calling for conservation of various species that are endemic to Western Ghats region as they are threatened to go extinct due to Climate change.

Recent Related News:

“IUCN World Heritage Outlook 3” named India’s Western Ghats under Significant Concern, as it’s threatened by population pressure, urbanization and climate change.

About Western Ghats:

i.Western Ghats are also known as ‘Sahyadri’ in Maharashtra

ii.The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats meet at the Nilgiri Hills

iii.Anaimudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats & South India as a whole