New species of bamboo¬ dwelling bat found in Meghalaya
Context:
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of thick-thumbed bat from a bamboo forest in Meghalaya and named it after the state, which is celebrating its 50 years of statehood.
Key-highlights of the new species
- The scientists have named the new species as Glischropus meghalayanusin honour of the state from where it was discovered and also in celebration of the 50th anniversary of statehood of Meghalaya in 2022.
- The new species is reported from a bamboo forest near Lailad in Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya, which is adjoining to Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This genus Glischropus (thick thumbed bat) is the first report from South Asia; the only new discovery from India in over a decade.
- The discovery of Glischropus meghalayanus from a forest patch adjacent to Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary from where another specialized bamboo- dwelling species (Eudiscopus denticulus) was reported recently also underscore the importance of the area from a conservation point of view.
- With this new discovery, the total number of bat species known from India stands at 131 species with Meghalaya harbouring the highest bat diversity in any Indian state with 67 species.
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