Bryospilus Bharaticus

Bryospilus Bharaticus Latest News

Recently, a new species of water flea was discovered from moss growth found on walls of Korigad Fort near Pune and named it as Bryospilus (Indobryospilus) bharaticus n. sp.

About Bryospilus Bharaticus

• It is a species of water flea belonging to the Bryospilus genus.
• This recent discovery from western India is the first for the whole of Tropical Asia.
• Features of Bryospilus bharaticus
  • It uses antennae as ‘supports’ to crawl through thick, debris-filled water films on moss.
  • The antennae have big spines that assist sideways and forward movement.
  • The fleas’ main eye is absent because they live in reduced light and don’t require colour distinction for foraging.
• Distribution of Bryospilus bharaticus: It has been found in semi-terrestrial habitats in rainforests of West Africa, South and Central America, and New Zealand.
• Habitat of Bryospilus bharaticus: The distant relatives of this species are found in open waters, while many are found in littoral (vegetated) regions of different water bodies.
• The genus Bryospilus is a unique animal with characteristic adaptations suited for living in "semi-terrestrial" environments, such as water film found on mosses.
• Ancestors of this species were potentially present on the Indian subcontinent before the breakup of Gondwanaland started approximately 200 million years ago.

What are Water Fleas?

• These are small aquatic animals belonging to crustacea group that feed on small algae by filtering them from water. 
• Habitat: These are usually found in rivers, ponds, and pools.

Bryospilus Bharaticus FAQs

Q1: What defines Crustacea?

Ans: It is any of various widespread arthropods of the class Crustacea that live mostly in water and have a hard shell, a segmented body, and jointed appendages.

Q2: What is the difference between molluscs and crustaceans?

Ans: Crustaceans are aquatic animals that have jointed legs, a hard shell and no backbone, such as crab, crayfish, lobster, prawns and shrimp. Most molluscs have a hinged two-part shell and include clams.

Source: TOI