New Plant Species Of Aeschynanthus Discovered In Nagaland, Classified as Critically Endangered

Kohima: According to a recent scientific publication, a new species of Aeschynanthus, Aeschynanthus clarkei sp. nov., has been discovered in Nagaland, contributing to the region's increasing botanical diversity.

There is only a small population of "Aeschynanthus clarkei" in Nagaland's Kiphire district, where it grows in two localities with approximately thirty-five mature individuals.

According to the IUCN Red List classifications and criteria, the species has been tentatively classified as Critically Endangered due to its small population size and restricted range (B2ab(III); D).

In terms of its morphology, the species comes close to Aeschynanthus lineatus Craib as per its sessile inflorescences.

In addition to highlighting Nagaland's tremendous biodiversity, this discovery emphasises how urgently conservation efforts are needed to preserve the species and its environment.

Earlier this month, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new pangolin species in Arunachal Pradesh, named the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica).

The species, genetically distinct from Chinese (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian pangolins, was identified in Silluk village, East Siang district, in March 2024.

ZSI researcher Lenrik Konchok Wangmo encountered the pangolin, caught by local villagers, and released it in the Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary after genetic sampling.

Analysis revealed the species diverged from the Chinese pangolin 3.4 million years ago due to climatic and geological changes during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.

The Indo-Burmese pangolin, characterized by dark brown scales and pinkish facial coloration, likely inhabits parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Highlighting the urgency of conservation, ZSI spokesperson Dr. Mukesh Thakur emphasized the species' vulnerability due to poaching and habitat loss, as detailed in Mammalian Biology.

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