February 17 (TSP Bangla) – Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of soil-dwelling micro-arthropod in the eastern Himalayas, marking a significant milestone in Indian entomology and highlighting the region’s ecological importance.
In a first for the country, the team has formally described a species of Diplura – primitive, wingless hexapods commonly known as “double-tail” insects. Although 17 Diplura species had earlier been recorded in India, all were documented by foreign researchers. This is the first time an Indian research team has described one from within the country.
The newly identified species, named Lepidocampa sikkimensis, was collected near Ravangla in Sikkim, with additional specimens found in Kurseong in West Bengal, suggesting it may be distributed more widely across the eastern Himalayan region.
Researchers said the species can be distinguished by its unique body scale pattern, distinct bristle arrangement (chaetotaxy), and specialised appendage structures.
“Diplurans, commonly known as two-pronged bristletails, are blind soil-dwellers that play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and maintaining soil structure,” said a researcher.
The findings were published on January 7 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa, ending nearly five decades of domestic research gap on Indian Diplura.
“The discovery of Lepidocampa sikkimensis marks a vital contribution to the documentation of India’s soil biodiversity. Research into evolutionarily significant and lesser-known groups like Diplura is essential for understanding ecosystem functioning,” said Dhriti Banerjee, the director of the ZSI.
The study was led by Surajit Kar and included researchers Souvik Mazumdar, Pritha Mandal, Gurupada Mandal and Kusumendra Kumar Suman from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
The team also rediscovered the rare subspecies Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis, which had not been recorded for nearly 50 years.
Last year, ZSI scientists had reported another significant find, a new species of Collembola (springtails) from the high-altitude regions of Sikkim. The species, named Neelus sikkimensis, marked the first recorded presence of the genus Neelus in India.
Those findings were published on December 1 last year in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Entomological Research Society.
“Such discoveries underscore the necessity of sustained taxonomic efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas,” Banerjee added.
