Onitis bordati

About Onitis bordati: 

• It is a dung beetle species belonging to the genus Onitis.
• Appearance: Males of most species have distinctive forelegs that are long, slender, and curved, often with teeth or spines.
• Dung beetle species were previously only found in Vietnam and Thailand.
• Ecological Significance: They are known for their ecological functions, such as seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control, and plant growth.
• Threats: Habitat destruction and climate change posing significant threats.

Key facts about Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: The Sanctuary falls in the Eastern Himalayan Global biodiversity hot spot and is located in the state of Meghalaya.
• The area consists of undulating plains to low hills, which are part of the Archaean Meghalaya Plateau.
• The area has become broken and rugged, especially towards west and north, because of continuous erosion by the rivers Umtrew, Umran, Umling, Umtasor and other smaller streams.
• The Umtrew is the main river of the area and the rest named above are its tributaries. The Umtrew also marks the western boundary of the Reserve Forest and the Sanctuary.
• Fauna: It is home to Clouded Leopard, majestic Elephants, and the powerful Himalayan Black Bear.
• Flora: Shorea robusta, Tectona grandis, Terminalia myriocarpa, Gmelina arborea etc.

Q1: What are Biodiversity hotspots?

These are regions that contain a high level of species diversity, many endemic species (species not found anywhere else in the world) and a significant number of threatened or endangered species.

Source: New Dung Beetle Species Discovered In Meghalaya’s Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary