Pygoluciola mawsynram

Pygoluciola mawsynram Latest News

Scientists from Assam and Meghalaya recently identified a new firefly species in Mawsynram and named it Pygoluciola mawsynram.

About Pygoluciola mawsynram

• It is a new species of firefly.
• It was discovered from Mawsynram in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, the world’s wettest place.
• It was named Pygoluciola mawsynram in recognition of the region’s unique biodiversity and the Khasi community that has long protected it through traditional conservation practices.  
• Adults of the newly discovered firefly were observed flying close to water bodies surrounded by dense vegetation, ferns, and semi-evergreen forests.  
• The researchers believe such habitats, along with the area’s high humidity and extensive leaf litter, may be crucial for the species’ life cycle and survival.
• Pygoluciola mawsynram has distinct body characteristics and unique flashing patterns that differentiate it from other members of the genus. 
• The discovery raises the number of known species in the rare Pygoluciola genus to 29 worldwide.  
• It also raises the number of Pygoluciola species recorded from India to five. 
• India is home to 92 known firefly species, nearly 60 percent of which are endemic.

News: IT

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