According to recent research, scientists have discovered new species of snake , spider and orchid in the Western Himalayas, Southern India, and Northeast India. These findings highlight the region’s rich biodiversity.
- Scientists have identified a new snake species named Anguiculus dicaprioi (DiCaprio’s Himalayan Snake), a new genus of jumping spiders called Tenkana, and two new orchid species: Crepidium assamicum and Coelogyne tripurensis.
About Anguiculus dicaprioi :
i.A team of researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom(UK) discovered this new snake species named  ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ in the western Himalayas. It was first observed by researcher Virender Bhardwaj during the COVID-19 lockdown in his backyard.
ii.This species was named in honor of Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio for his contributions to conservation.
iii.This small snake, measuring about 22 inches long, has a broad collar with dark brown spots, a robust skull, and a steeply domed snout.
iv.This snake is found in Chamba, Kullu and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh(HP), Nainital in Uttarakhand and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
About Tenkana :
i.In another significant finding, a team of arachnologists from India and Canada identified a new genus of jumping spiders called ‘Tenkana’, which inhabits southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
- The genus name Tenkana is derived from the Kannada word for “south”.
ii.This genus includes two previously known species and the newly described ‘Tenkana jayamangali’, named after the Jayamangali River in Karnataka, where it was first observed.
iii.Tenkana belongs to the Plexippina subtribe, distinct from related genera like Hyllus and Telamonia. Tenkana spiders prefer drier ground habitats, unlike other jumping spiders that thrive in forests. The genus now includes:
- Tenkana manu (formerly Colopsus manu) – found in southern India and Sri Lanka
- Tenkana arkavathi – identified in Karnataka
- Tenkana jayamangali – the newly named species
About Crepidium assamicum:
i.A new species of orchid named ‘Crepidium assamicum’ was discovered in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam by assistant professor of the Department of Botany, Guwahati College, Dr. Jintu Sarma and Khyanjeet Gogoi, popularly known as the Orchid Man of Assam.
- With this discovery, India’s orchid diversity, raising the total to 19 species nationally and 281 globally.
ii.There are about 27,000 species of diverse orchids in the world, with India hosting about 1,265 of them and Northeast India about 800.
- Assam harbors about 414 species of orchids.
iii.Classified as Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, this species highlights the urgent need for conservation.
iv.Notable features include a larger flower cover, blooming from July to August,preference for open grasslands rather than dense forests and minimal fragrance
About Coelogyne tripurensis:
i.Another species of orchid named ‘Coelogyne tripurensis’ was discovered in Jampui Hills in the North District of Tripura.The findings emphasize the critical need for ongoing conservation efforts to protect these unique species.
 ii.This orchid is part of a genus with about 600 species, known for its ornamental value.
iii.Coelogyne orchids typically feature:
- A free labellum with erect lateral lobes.
- Various keel types, including smooth, warty, or absent.
