Prelims: Current events of national and international relations | Environment
Why in news?
Ghatiana Karnataka, a new species of freshwater crab, recently discovered.
- Discovered at – Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in the Udupi district of Karnataka.
- Family- It is the 15th species of Ghatiana family to be discovered in the Western Ghats and 8 of them, including the latest one, are endemic to Karnataka.
- Appearance –
- Males have a dark-purple body with a light-pink to mauve V-shaped mark on the carapace and light-pink claws.
- Females feature a grey-violet front and dark grey-brown rear.
- Active All Year – Unlike other Ghatiana crabs that hide or are hard to find in dry periods, this species is sighted across all seasons.
- Habitat – Found near perennial streams in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
- Shelter – Found on laterite rocks during the monsoon and inside moist tree cavities or rock crevices during other seasons.
- Bio-Indicator - As freshwater crabs are highly sensitive to habitat degradation and pollution.
- The thriving presence of Ghatiana karnataka serves as a key indicator of an unpolluted, pristine forest ecosystem.
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kodachadri Peak is located at the core of the sanctuary.
- The sanctuary is home to Koosalli Waterfalls, Belkal Theertha Waterfalls, and Hidlumane Falls.
- River Chakra and River Souparnika passes through the sanctuary.
- Home to endangered species like the lion-tailed macaque and slender loris, alongside leopards, tigers, sloth bears, and sambar deer.
Reference
Deccan Herald| Ghatiana Karnataka
