Dugesia Punensis

Dugesia Punensis Latest News

A new species of planarian worm that regenerates, named Dugesia Punensis, has been found in the Pashan Lake in the city of Pune recently. 

About Dugesia Punensis

• It is a new species of planarian worm.
• Planarians are aquatic flatworms, renowned for their extraordinary regenerative capabilities.
• It was discovered in Pashan Lake, Pune district, Maharashtra, a wetland within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
• It is the first time since 1983 that a new planarian species has been recorded in India.

Dugesia Punensis Features

• The new species is characterised by its spotted appearance, slightly reduced auricles, and elongated pharynx and gonopore. 
• The body size ranges between 8mm-12mm in length.
• The dorsal side is spotted dark brown in appearance, with a light brown back. 
• The ventral side looks pale. 
• Eggs are circular and have a reddish appearance. 
• Auricular grooves enclose two bright black eyes
• It can completely regenerate in 10-13 days.

Dugesia Punensis FAQs

Q1. Dugesia punensis belongs to which group of animals?

Ans. Flatworms

Q2. How long does it take for Dugesia punensis to completely regenerate?

Ans. 10–13 days

Q3. In which Indian biodiversity hotspot was Dugesia punensis discovered?

Ans. Western Ghats

Source: NDTV