Description

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Context:

Scientists have found a new species of snake in the Western Himalayas, which have been named Anguiculus dicaprioi after Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio.

Anguiculus dicaprioi

*About*	It is a new species of snake discovered in the Eastern Himalayas. Anguiculus is the Latin word meaning small snake. The term“dicaprioi” is a patronym to honour Leonardo DiCaprio, who has actively worked to create awareness about increased biodiversity loss, and human health issues due to the pollution explosion.
*Family*	It is a member of the Colubridae, which is the largest family of snakes on the planet having 304 genera and 1,938 species in it. Almost two-thirds of all living snakes in the world comprise Colubridae.
*Distribution*	They are found in Chamba, Kullu and Shimla regions of Himachal Pradesh, Nainital district in Uttarakhand and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
*Features*	They have no limbs, external ears and eyelids. They only have one functional lung, and a long, slender body. They have a complete and robust skull.
*Significance*	The eastern part of the Himalayas generally harbours more diversity than the western part. However, the findings suggest that the biota of the Western Himalayas is distinct and they are not merely a subset of the East Himalayan biota.
*Conservation status*	Data Deficient

Tenkana jayamangali

*About*	They are a new species of Ground-dwelling jumping spider.
*Morphological Features*	Males have a colour pattern which resembles a panda face. They shave a brownish abdomen. Females are grey with distinct colour patterns.
*Habitat*	They prefer the shaded short grasses with dry leaf litter in closed areas and in open areas, they prefer sunny areas with rocky outcrops. They mostly prefer marshes, forests, agricultural lands, etc.
*Distribution*	They are currently endemic to southern India. They are mostly sighted in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
*Documented Species*	Three species in the genus Tenkana have been discovered so far. These are: Tenkana jayamangali, Tenkana arkavathi, Tenkana manu.
*Ecological Role*	They play a role in local ecosystems as a predator.

Nilgiri tit

Category	Details
*About*	This is a rare and endemic butterfly species. It is recorded for the first time using Eulophia epidendraea as a host near the Kallar horticultural garden. Eulophia epidendraea is a terrestrial orchid found on rocky slopes in humid areas and they are associated with various grasses.
*Scientific Name*	*Hypolycaena nilgirica*
*Habitat*	They live on the surface of terrestrial orchids and lay eggs on the inflorescence of Eulophia epidendraea.
*Distribution*	They are typically found in the western Ghats surrounding Nilgiris and in Sri Lanka. It was first described in 1884 from Coonoor, Nilgiris.
*Conservation Status*	They are classified under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Important articles for reference

Nilgiri Tahr

Eravikulum National park and Nilgiris

Sources:

DOWNTOEARTH

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following species and their description:

1)Nilgiri tit	This is a rare and endemic butterfly species.
2)Tenkana jayamangali	It is a new species of snake discovered in the Eastern Himalayas.
3)Anguiculus dicaprioi	They are a species of Ground-dwelling jumping spider.