biodiversity research

A new online tool, Paleolatitude.org, reveals Earth's past landscapes. Users can see how their location appeared millions of years ago. This helps scientists understand ancient climates and biodiversity. The tool uses geological and paleomagnetic data. It offers a new perspective on our planet's long history. This technology aids in understanding past environmental changes and their impact.

A collaborative effort involving IIT-Bhubaneswar and NIT-Rourkela has commenced field work for the Samudra Manthan project, aiming to build a comprehensive database of Odisha's marine bioresources. Researchers are collecting samples from Ganjam's Bahuda river mouth. This initiative will bolster marine biotechnology research, aid policymaking with vital biodiversity data, and foster industry connections.

Researchers have identified a new snapper species, 'Lutjanus arakan', in Indian waters for the first time at Gopalpur. This discovery, significant for marine fish taxonomy and the commercially valuable food fish, was published in Zootaxa. The species is distinguished by its unique reddish-silver hue with dark horizontal stripes.

A rare pebble crab species, Lyphira ngankee, has been discovered for the first time in Indian waters off the coast of Balasore. Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India identified four specimens, previously only known from the South China Sea. This significant finding expands the known geographical range of this unique marine creature.

Kerala's mysterious 'Twin Town,' Kodhini, baffles scientists with an exceptionally high birth rate of twins, far exceeding national and global averages. This phenomenon, with an estimated 35 twins per 1,000 births, has led to unique local beliefs and a vibrant annual festival celebrating this extraordinary occurrence.

London Zoo is set to transform with a massive, anonymous £20 million donation. This gift will fund a state-of-the-art wildlife health centre, allowing the public to witness critical medical procedures. This initiative marks a new era in conservation, merging tradition with modern medicine to foster global responsibility and inspire future scientists by demystifying wildlife healthcare.

India's traditional banana varieties are facing decline, prompting the establishment of a new gene bank in Trichy. This facility, by ICAR-NRCB and PPV&FRA, aims to conserve and develop banana varieties, recognizing farmers' contributions with intellectual property rights and awards. The initiative seeks to bolster agro-biodiversity conservation efforts nationwide.