Tag: Species in News

In News  According to a recent study, insulin-suppressing protein may be responsible for the five-fold increase in longevity in queen ants compared to worker ants. Generally, species with a faster metabolism for reproduction are associated with a shorter life span.  Ants are a notable exception to this generally accepted rule. About Black Garden Queen Ant […]

Context Recent Chinese investment in a Sea cucumber farm has raised concerns among northern Sri Lankan fishermen. Sea Cucumber About: Sea cucumbers are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad.  They are found in both tropical and temperate oceans, where they inhabit the intertidal zone as well […]

In News  The biomass of the Pacific Bluefin Tuna has increased and is second-highest in recorded history About Pacific Bluefin Tuna Appearance : They have black or dark blue dorsal sides, with a greyish-green iridescence. Their bellies are dotted with silver or grey spots or bands. They have a series of small yellow fins, edged […]

In News A glowing snailfish (Liparis gibbus) with antifreeze proteins flowing through its veins has been found by scientists underneath a Greenland iceberg.  This allows snailfish to prevent ice crystals from accumulating in their cells and body fluid. About the Discovery The discovery of the Greenland snailfish also leads to the first documented biofluorescent fish […]

In News   Research suggests, ancient Megalodon sharks could eat a whale in a few bites. About Megalodon Scientific Name : Otodus megalodon It is an extinct species of mackerel shark which used to exist millions of years ago.  It roamed the oceans an estimated 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. It was the largest […]

In Context A common weed  named Portulaca oleracea, also commonly known as purslane, offers important clues about creating drought-tolerant crops in a world beset by climate change. About Purslane has the evolutionary adaptations that help it to be both highly productive and drought tolerant, an unlikely combination for a plant. Plants have independently evolved various […]

In News  A study carried out by researchers from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) undertook to understand where the rock agamaresidese in and around Bengaluru specifically. About Peninsular Rock Agama (Psammophilus dorsalis)  It is a type of garden lizard that has a strong presence in southern India.  Description: It is a large animal, strikingly coloured […]

In News  Recently, Singalila National Park launched programme that aims to release about 20 red pandas in a period of five years About Red Pandas Scientific Name : Ailurus fulgens Red Panda is largely vegetarian, eating chiefly young leaves and shoots of bamboo.  It also takes fruit, roots, succulent grasses, acorns, lichens, birds’ eggs and […]

In News : The Himalayan wolf is a major predator of livestock in the region. About Himalayan Wolf It is also called Tibetan wolves, which live at more than 4,000 metres altitudes and are genetically distinct from grey wolves found in Europe and North America. It seems uniquely adapted to life at high-altitudes of the […]