PUNE: City-based scientists associated with NGO’ Institute of Natural History Education and Research’ (INHER) have discovered two new species of scorpions in the State in Tamhini and Amboli.
The new species have been named Isometrus Tamhini and Isometrus Amboli.
INTEGRATED TAXONOMIC APPROACH
The new species discovered in the northern Western Ghats belong to the Isometrus genus. Scientist Shauri Sulakhe, who has been working in the Western Ghats under the guidance of senior scorpiologist Dr Deshbhushan Bastawade for over 2.5 years, said that it is the first time that ‘integrated taxonomic approach’ has been used for identifying species of scorpions.
“Under this, we have made use of morphological, molecular as well as bio-statistical approaches for identification of species. Earlier, in scorpion study, only morphological characters (which use the characteristics of form and structure to identify the species) were employed for identification,” Sulakhe said.
Molecular approach refers to DNA barcoding and genetic sequencing, and bio-statistics refer to statistical analysis of the gathered morphological data.
“These two species are cryptic, which means they look similar and have very fine morphological differences. They are related to the other species found in India and are closely related to each other. So there is a good chance that all these years, they must have been presumed to be some existing species of scorpions. That is why, using integrated taxonomy is a more matured approach for identification of species,” Sulakhe added.
The research paper, primarily authored by Sulakhe, has been co-authored by Dr Bastawade, biologist Nikhil Dandekar and INHER Secretary Dr Anand Padhye, who has also been one of the pioneers of integrated taxonomy in India. The paper was published in US-based Euscorpius, one of the most prestigious publications in the field of scorpion study.
There were only two known species of scorpions belonging to the genus of Isometrus found in India - I. macalatus and I. thurstoni.
“We hypothesised that there could be new species in the northern Western Ghat region and started our research, which led to the discovery of the new Isometrus species. We have collected all our data from Tamhini and Amboli,” Sulakhe stated.
RESEARCH ESSENTIAL FOR CONSERVATION
Speaking about the identification of these new species, one of the co-authors, Dandekar, said that more and more data about biodiversity is necessary for the conservation and protection of hotspots.
“We see so many developmental projects proposed and planned through the protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Scientific research and data help determine the biodiversity of places. Greater the biodiversity, higher are the chances of protecting the region. Therefore, such research is essential, and needs to be encouraged,” Dandekar said.
He also added that while there are extensive programmes for the conservation of megafauna like tigers, leopards, elephants, etc., the microfauna too needs research and protection, as they also are an essential element of forest biodiversity.