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Nine New Species in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
March 18 , 2026
14 hrs 0 min
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- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered nine new species during a faunal survey at Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats.
- The newly identified species include Stenaelurillus megamalai (jumping spider), Edmundsula meghamalaiensis (mayfly), Thraulus vellimalaiensis (mayfly), Protosticta sholai (damselfly), Allacta vellimalai (cockroach), and Lachesilla vellimalai (bark louse), along with other new invertebrate species.
- The survey recorded 977 species across 21 faunal groups, including 511 vertebrates (286 birds, 97 reptiles, 77 mammals, 36 amphibians, and 15 fish) and 466 invertebrates.
- The sanctuary is part of the Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve, India’s 51st tiger reserve, notified in 2021, covering about 1,016 sq km.
- Many species found in the survey act as bio-indicators that help measure water quality and ecosystem health.
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