Description

Dicliptera srisailamica

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Context:

A team of botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has identified Dicliptera srisailamica, a flowering plant found in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Details:

Location	Found along stream banks and rocky edges near waterfalls in the temple town of Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh.
Plant Features	Erect herb, reaching up to 90 cm. Four-angled stems covered with fine, deflexed hairs when young. Leaves are ovate with prominent veins and smooth margins.
Flowers	Small, pink, bi-lipped flowers arranged in clusters. Blooming period: October to January.
Distinctive Features	Short, downturned hairs on the stem. Distinctive bracts around the flowers. Capsules containing seeds covered in simple hairs.
Family and Genus	Acanthaceae family. Dicliptera genus, which includes 27 species in India, 8 of which are endemic.
Diversity Contribution	This adds to the diversity of India's flora, especially in the Eastern Ghats where Andhra Pradesh hosts seven recorded species of Dicliptera.
Global Distribution	Dicliptera species are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

Zebrafish

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Context:

Zebrafish are known for their rapid development and genetic similarity to humans.

Details:

Scientific Name	Danio rerio
Habitat	Small freshwater fish (2-3 cm long) found in tropical and subtropical regions. Native to South Asia’s Indo-Gangetic plains. Found in paddy fields, stagnant water, and streams.
Conservation Status	Classified as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Organism for Biomedical Research	Used to study vertebrate development, evolution, genetics, and disease. Notable for regeneration capacity of organs (brain, heart, eye, spinal cord).
Genetic Similarity to Humans	Zebrafish share about 70% of their genetic structure with humans.
Organ Systems	Zebrafish possess organs and tissues similar to humans, including muscles, blood, kidneys, and eyes.

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Zebrafish

Source:

INDIA TODAY

Scarlet Tanager

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Context:

Hundreds of birders have flocked to a sleepy village in the county of Yorkshire to see to the colorful Scarlet Tanager.

Details:

Scientific Name	*Piranga olivacea*
Habitat	Breeds in deciduous and mixed deciduous-evergreen forests. Winters in forests and forest edges. Migrates to tropical forests in Central and South America during winter.
Features	Medium-sized songbird, around 7 inches in length. Stocky proportions, thick, rounded bills for insects and fruit. Large head, short and broad tail.
Male Plumage (Spring/Summer)	Brilliant red with black wings and tail.
Female/Immature Plumage (Fall)	Olive-yellow with darker olive wings and tails.
Post-Breeding Male Plumage	Molts to female-like plumage but retains black wings and tail.
Song and Call	Song: Described as a “robin with a cold.” Call: Emphatic “chip-burr,” often used to locate the bird in treetops.
IUCN Red List	Least Concern

Source:

NDTV

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The term "Dicliptera srisailamica" recently in the news in the context of which of the following?

(a) A newly discovered species of amphibian

(b) A flowering plant found in the Eastern Ghats

(d) A new variant of the coronavirus

Answer: b

Explanation:

Dicliptera srisailamica is a species of flowering plant in the genus of Dicliptera. This species is closely related to Dicliptera beddomei but shows distinct differences in various traits. The species was located within the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, near the well-known Srisailam area. This discovery adds to the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats.