3 months ago
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A technological survey conducted astatine the Kole wetlands, a Ramsar-listed ecosystem successful Kerala, has documented a full of 12 taxon of pygmy grasshoppers. Of them, 4 taxon are caller records for the State.
The probe was carried retired by scientists from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College, Irinjalakuda. Significantly, the survey besides reports 2 genera — Thoradonta and Tetrix — for the archetypal clip from Kerala.
The Kole wetlands are wide recognised arsenic a large birding destination, supporting ample populations of nonmigratory and migratory birds. The caller findings underline the ecological value of this wetland strategy successful sustaining lesser-known and often overlooked insect groups, successful summation to its well-documented avifaunal diversity, said Bijoy C., probe supervisor and adjunct professor.
Pygmy grasshoppers are small, ground-dwelling insects typically associated with moist habitats. They are highly delicate to changes successful microhabitat conditions, making them invaluable bio-indicators of wetland health. Unlike different grasshoppers, pygmy grasshoppers are characterised by an extended pronotum that covers overmuch of their body.
The 4 taxon recently recorded from Kerala are Thoradonta spiculoba, Tetrix arcunotus, Hedotettix lineifera and Hedotettix attenuatus.
The survey was conducted by Thasnim E.S., probe scholar; Dr. Bijoy C., probe supervisor and Assistant Professor; and Dhaneesh Bhaskar, determination vice-chair (Asia), IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group, Care Earth Trust, Chennai.
The findings person been published successful the Journal of Orthoptera Research, an planetary peer-reviewed journal. The probe was supported by fiscal assistance from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
