New Aquatic Beetle Species

Why in News?

Recently, Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and collaborating institutions have discovered 3 new species of aquatic beetles from freshwater habitats in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

• Common Name – Beetle.
• Family – Hydrophilidae (aquatic scavenger beetles).
• Genus – Amphiops, Adapted to shallow freshwater ecosystems like ponds, wetlands, and vegetated substrates.
  • Amphiops hyderabadi – Found in a seasonal pond in Hyderabad, Telangana.
  • Amphiops kinnerasani – Collected from a roadside pond inside Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana.
  • Amphiops sandi – Discovered in Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh.

• Distinct Traits – Each species shows unique body structures, punctation patterns, and reproductive features.
• Genetic Divergence – COI mitochondrial DNA barcoding revealed 7–17% divergence, confirming them as distinct evolutionary lineages.

COI Gene Sequencing (Cytochrome c Oxidase I gene) – Standard DNA barcoding method using a short section of the to identify and differentiate animal species.

Reference

New Indian Express | New Aquatic Beetle Species