Recent advancements in biodiversity research have led to the rediscovery of a rare hexapod species known as Ballistura fitchoides. This species was first identified nearly a century ago in the Nilgiris by French scientist J. R. Dennis. The original specimen has since been lost, complicating efforts to study this springtail insect. However, a research team from the Molecular Biodiversity Lab at the Government Arts College in Udhagamandalam successfully characterised the complete mitochondrial DNA of this elusive species. Historical Context Ballistura fitchoides was first described in 1933 by J. R. Dennis. Initially named Ballistura fitchi, it underwent a name change in 1944 due to taxonomic revisions. Dennis collected only a few specimens, which were later lost from the Musée National des Sciences Naturelles in Paris. This loss left the scientific community without any known specimens for study. Rediscovery Efforts The recent rediscovery occurred in Kolavayal, Wayanad district, Ke...
Comments
Post a Comment