Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Itanagar: A new butterfly species, Chonala albistricta, has been discovered in the Mayodia Pass of Arunachal Pradesh. Also known as the Narrow-banded Wall, the insect lives at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters and typically emerges for only a few weeks during late summer. This finding marks the tenth species within the Chonala genus worldwide and the second identified in India, further highlighting the Eastern Himalaya as a vital biodiversity hotspot.
The research team, led by Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte from the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru, formally published their findings in the journal Zootaxa. While the new species bears a close physical resemblance to Chonala masoni, researchers confirmed its status as a distinct species by analyzing specific wing patterns and anatomical traits. Co-author Fahim Khan assisted with taxonomic work and field observations, while Ujwala Pawar performed specimen dissection to verify the discovery.
Dr. Kunte, a prominent biologist who also oversees the Butterflies of India initiative, noted the significance of such findings for regional conservation. He stated, "Researchers emphasized that collaboration among scientists, taxonomists, and institutions is critical for documenting India's biological wealth." The discovery underscores the ecological importance of Arunachal Pradesh, where ongoing surveys continue to reveal previously unknown flora and fauna, reinforcing the need to protect these sensitive, high-altitude habitats from environmental decline.
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