TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The rediscovery of Chiretolpis erubescens, a rare moth species endemic to the Western Ghats, marks a significant event in the study of biodiversity in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR).
EXPLANATION:
- This species, which had not been seen for 132 years, was recently photographed for the first time by a team of researchers.
- Their findings were published in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society under the title Rediscovery of Chiretolpis erubescens, A rare moth species in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
Chiretolpis erubescens
- Chiretolpis erubescens is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by George Hampson in 1891. It is found in India’s Nilgiri Mountains.
- Chiretolpis erubescens was first recorded by British entomologist George Francis Hampson in 1891.
- Hampson collected three specimens of the moth, but none of these specimens are believed to have survived, and there were no photographic records of the species until this recent rediscovery.
- The species was described as having an orange head and thorax, streaked tibiae, and hair-like scales on its wings.
- Researchers identified the moth by meticulously comparing it with illustrations produced by Hampson.
- The rediscovery occurred in a human-dominated landscape in Coonoor, part of the Nilgiri district.
Importance of Rediscovery
- The rediscovery of Chiretolpis erubescens sheds light on the importance of studying lesser-known species to understand their ecological roles and the impacts they have faced due to anthropogenic pressures.
- This find underscores how little is known about the health and continued existence of many species that were recorded to have inhabited the NBR but have largely been forgotten.
Anthropogenic Pressures and Conservation
- The Western Ghats, including the Nilgiris, have faced increasing anthropogenic pressures over the past century, which have significantly impacted endemic species.
- Rediscovering such species is crucial for understanding these impacts and determining whether certain species continue to survive or have become locally extinct.
Ecological Significance
- The importance of understanding these species’ roles in their ecosystems has been highlighted.
- For instance, the Nilgiri fritillary butterfly relies on species of viola plants found in wetland areas.
- Disturbances to these areas and the potential disappearance of viola plants could lead to the extinction of the butterfly.
- Similarly, studying the micro-climates, host plants, and life-cycles of species like Chiretolpis erubescens helps in understanding their ecological importance.