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A new ant species, Tapinoma onaele, has been discovered in the Western Ghats.

Environment | Dated: 08 Jan 2025

In January 2025, researchers from Goa, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), and Karnataka discovered a new ant species called Tapinoma onaele in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district, Karnataka. The species is named after the Kannada word 'onaele', meaning "dried leaves," reflecting its natural habitat in the leaf litter on the forest floor.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - This discovery adds to other significant finds, such as Protanilla flamma and Probolomyrmex procne, a species that had not been seen in India for 30 years.
  • - Goa is the third known location in India where this species has been documented.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Leaf litter, made up of fallen leaves and organic material, is essential for the ecosystem as it provides shelter and food for various organisms, including ants.
  • (ii) These ants play a key role in decomposition, soil movement, and pest control, making them vital for forest ecology.
  • (iii) He also played a key role in helping Cyprus become a member of the European Union (EU) in 2004.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which new ant species was recently discovered in the Western Ghats?

Correct Answer: Tapinoma onaele

🚀 Quick Recap: