A Rare Dung Beetle Discovery in Meghalaya
A rare dung beetle species, Onitis bordati, has been discovered for the first time in India, near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya. Researchers from ATREE highlight its ecological significance and the urgent need for conservation efforts in the region.
This article is an adoption of a report in Shillong Times titled “In a first in India, rare dung beetle species found in Meghalaya” dated 15th September. For the original article click here.
In a remarkable discovery, a rare species of dung beetle, previously known only in Vietnam and Thailand, has been spotted for the first time in India. Researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have unearthed Onitis bordati in a bamboo-rich forest near the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya. This significant find marks an expansion of the beetle’s known habitat and sheds light on the rich biodiversity of Northeastern India.
The study, led by researchers Seena Narayanan Karimbumkara and Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, was part of an extensive effort to document the ecological richness of the region. The discovery of Onitis bordati, a member of the tunneller species of dung beetles, highlights the importance of maintaining habitats that allow such species to thrive. Dung beetles, often overlooked due to their unglamorous diet of faeces, play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They contribute to seed dispersal, nutrient recycling, and even pest control, making them unsung heroes of the natural world.
A particularly intriguing aspect of the Onitis bordati is the unique structure of the males’ forelegs, though the exact purpose of this anatomical feature remains a mystery. While these beetles may seem like small fry in the grand scheme of things, their role in maintaining ecological balance is far from insignificant.
The research, based on over two decades of specimen collection and observation, has drawn attention to the urgent need for conservation in the Northeastern region. With habitat destruction and climate change knocking on the door, the pressure on local biodiversity is mounting. The Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans 29 square kilometres, is already a refuge for a variety of fauna, including the clouded leopard, elephants, and the striking Great Slaty Woodpecker. However, without sustainable conservation strategies, the area’s unique wildlife could face an uphill battle for survival.
ATREE is leading the charge, advocating for conservation efforts that involve local communities. After all, it’s no good locking up the land and throwing away the key if the people who live in these regions are left out of the conversation. By engaging local populations in conservation, there is hope that a balance can be struck between development and the preservation of these critical ecosystems.
As we grapple with the effects of climate change and the rapid destruction of natural habitats, discoveries like Onitis bordati are a stark reminder of how much we still don’t know about the world around us. One thing is clear: every small creature, no matter how unsavoury its habits may seem, has a part to play in keeping the natural order ticking over. Here’s hoping we don’t let the likes of Onitis bordati and its fellow wildlife slip through our fingers.
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