Neelus sikkimensis

Neelus sikkimensis Latest News

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered ‘Neelus sikkimensis’, the first of its genus in India, in the high-altitude region of Sikkim.

About Neelus sikkimensis

• It is a new species of Collembola—tiny, soil-dwelling micro-arthropods.
• It was discovered in the high-altitude landscapes of Sikkim.
• It marks the first-ever record of the genus Neelus in India.
• It brings the total number of known species under this genus worldwide to eight.
• It exhibits several distinctive biological characteristics. 
  • Microscopic Size: An extremely small body adapted for life deep within soil and moss.
  • Sensory Adaptation: A complete absence of eyes, typical of species living in dark, subterranean environments.
  • Unique Morphology: A specific “labral chaetotaxy” (arrangement of bristles on the mouthparts) that distinguishes it from its global relatives.

‹ ›

Key Facts about Arthropods

• Arthropods are invertebrates with jointed legs. 
• They make up about 75% of all animals on Earth and have a major role in maintaining ecosystems as pollinators, recyclers of nutrients, scavengers, and food for other animals. 
• They include many animals we come across in our gardens, such as spiders, ants, centipedes, and slaters. 
• Arthropods are divided into four major groups:
  • insects;
  • myriapods (including centipedes and millipedes);
  • arachnids (including spiders, mites, and scorpions);
  • crustaceans (including slaters, prawn, and crabs)

Key Facts about Collembola

• Collembola are among the most abundant and diverse soil microarthropods, which are found in almost all (semi) terrestrial environments.
• They are among the oldest and most abundant hexapods on Earth and play a crucial role in soil health and nutrient cycling.
• They are commonly known as “springtails,” because of their ability to jump using a tail-like appendage. 
• There are around 8,200 named species.
• They live in all types of soil and feed on algae, fungi, plant roots, and decaying organic matter.

Source: TELE