Typhloperipatus Williamsoni was found in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. |Picture source: Special arrangement
A team of researchers from the Ashoka Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Research (ATREE) reported that one of the world’s oldest living fossils has rediscovered the long-lost velvet worm (velvet worm) after 111 years.
name Typhloperipatus Williamsonian ancient species (estimated around 220 million years), was discovered by the team in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, and rediscovered has been published in Natural History Magazine. The study provides the first molecular data for the species.
Tracking colonial trails
According to the paper T. Williamsoni In December 1911, the Indian Museum and its team first collected during the “Abor Expedition” in December 1911 at Stanley Kemp, former principal of the Siang Valley. There are no records recorded in India since Kemp discovered.
While searching for ants in the pre-monsoon season, specimens were found under the stones. |Picture source: Special arrangement
Between 2021 and 2023, by Surya Narayanan, Dr. Priyadarsanan, AP Ranjith, R. The Atree team formed by Sahanashree and Aravind Neelavar Ananthram, along with the National Geographic Society and the creator of the twists and turns, followed the trails of Abor Expedition. This time, the researchers found two people T. Williamsoni This is the first time since description. Interestingly, specimens were found under the stone while searching for ants in the pre-monsoon season.
Living fossil
Mr Narayanan, the lead author of the paper, explained: “Cannabis is a very old group that is easily over 350 million years old. It has only two families, no more than 200 species. The diversity of diversity is very small.”
“These are almost simultaneously developing with dinosaurs. When mass extinction occurs, a lot of them may be wiped out. What we are seeing today are mainly those species that flee from extinction.”
Rediscover T. WilliamsoniHe noted that this is considered extinct and can also help solve the mystery of biogeographic mystery.
Turn
From T. Williamsoni It shows that Onychophoras in South Asia are separated from their neotropics, including southern Mexico and southern parts of the Caribbean and South America, about 237 million years ago.
Rediscover T. WilliamsoniNatural rare species are crucial in solving the gap in the evolutionary history of peripatids in Asia. |Picture source: Special arrangement
Interestingly, Asian onions were found in the Australian goat dragon without relatives. Given that invertebrates found in Southeast Asia and India are often associated with Australian invertebrates. Asian Onychophora is one of the few exceptions to this relationship.
“This rediscovery could actually turn into a biogeographic story and could tell us more about how this little animal is ultimately a puzzle among new types of animals in Asia,” Mr Narayanan noted.
More Species
Metal blue ant, Paraparatrechina Neela,,,,,More than 15 new The species of parasitic wasps, molluscs and geckos are other published findings.
Metal blue ant, Paraparatrechina Neela,,,,,More than 15 new The species of parasitic wasps, molluscs and geckos are other published findings. |Picture source: Special arrangement
“It may take us a few years to discover all the new species we collect during the expedition,” said Mr Priyadarshanan, a member of the team. He added that more expeditions will be held in the area.
Rediscover T. WilliamsoniThis is a natural rare species that is crucial in addressing the gap in the evolutionary history of peripatids in Asia, and the paper points out that its natural habitat is facing a huge threat to expand agriculture, deforestation and deforestation and burning farming in Siang valleys. The study calls for the conservation of these habitats and for wider sampling in the region.
publishing – April 12, 2025 at 2:03 pm IST
