ONORGUS KHANDESH
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Context: A new beetle species has been discovered in India, according to a paper published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa
Details:
About:
- Omorgus Khandeshis necrophagous and is, therefore, also called a keratin beetle.
- During the decomposition of a body, blowflies are amongst the first ones to arrive in the early stages.
- Meanwhile, the final successional stage is with the arrival of the keratin feeders, thus their importance in forensic science.
- The new species belongs to the Trogidae family.
- With the addition of this new species, now there are a total of 14 extant species of this family in India.
- The beetles of this group are sometimes called hide beetles as they tend to cover their body under the soil and hide.
- They are not photogenic; they are usually black or grey and encrusted in dirt.
- Their bumpy appearance is distinct, with short, dense setae all over the body.
- The new species is morphologically most similar to Omorgus rimulosus. The latter is redescribed and illustrated to enable accurate recognition of both species in the new paper.
- Omorgus Khandeshis mainly associated with bird and mammal nests or burrows and the details of their life histories are poorly known.
- They feign death upon being disturbed and become motionless.
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Importance:
The beetle is important for forensic science as it helps detect the time of death of an animal or human.
How are they different from regular beetles?
- They are carrion feeders and are the last one to attend the carrion.
- Hence, they are of forensic importance in the detection of the time of the death of the animal/human.
- As they are mostly associated with bird and mammal nests/burrows, the details of their life histories are poorly known.
- These new found beetles are less studied in the Oriental region, India particularly as compared to the other part of the world.
Important Fact:
- Dr Kalawate is the first woman scientist to have discovered a new species in the country
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