Type: Species

Central Idea

• The Indian eagle owl was recently classified species distinct from the Eurasian eagle owl.

Indian Eagle-Owl

• The Indian eagle-owl or rock eagle-owl, is a large horned owl species native to hilly and rocky scrub forests in the Indian Subcontinent.
• It is splashed with brown and grey, and has a white throat patch with black small stripes.
• Conservation Status: Least Concerned (IUCN), Appendix II (CITES)

Key features

• Distinct Species: Classified separately from the Eurasian eagle-owl, the Indian eagle-owl stands out with its imposing size, reaching up to two and a half feet in length and six feet in wingspan.
• Nocturnal Secrets: Due to its nocturnal nature, limited knowledge is available about the bird, contributing to its aura of mystery.
• Menacing Appearance: Prominent ear tufts resembling horns may have evolved to deter predators, giving the bird a threatening appearance.

Threats from Superstitions

• In rural India, the bird is considered a bearer of ill omens, and its loud double-hoot calls are linked to superstitions.
• Folklore suggests that when trapped and starved, the Indian eagle-owl could speak in a human voice, foretelling the future of its listeners.

Ecological significance

• The Indian eagle owl’s diet of rodents, including rats and bandicoots, aligns well with open scrublands and agricultural regions, making it beneficial for farmers.
• Owls nesting near agricultural lands have shown higher numbers of healthier owlets due to the abundance of rodents.

Central Idea

• Researchers have discovered that the population of ospreys, a fish-eating bird, is facing a decline due to the decreasing numbers of Atlantic menhaden, their primary food source.
• The depletion of menhaden, a small silvery fish, is attributed to commercial fishing practices.
• The decline in osprey reproduction reflects the broader ecological impact of reduced menhaden numbers.

About Atlantic Menhaden

• Atlantic menhaden, scientifically known as Brevoortia tyrannus, is a species of fish belonging to the Clupeidae family.
• They are commonly found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Florida to Nova Scotia.
• Atlantic menhaden play a vital ecological role and have significant commercial and ecological importance.

Importance of Atlantic Menhaden

• Role in Coastal Ecosystem: Menhaden play a crucial role in the ecology of coastal waters along the Eastern Seaboard, providing sustenance for larger fish, marine mammals, and birds.
• Nutrient-Rich and Filtering Capacity: Menhaden are nutrient-rich, containing omega-3 fatty acids, and they filter substantial quantities of ocean water while consuming smaller organisms like plankton.

Commercial Fishing Impact

• Increased Catch Allowance: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission raised the allowable catch of menhaden to 233,550 metric tons for the next two years, a 20% increase from previous years.
• Fishery Quota: The commission maintained a quota of 51,000 metric tons for the Chesapeake Bay’s reduction fishery, where menhaden are used for bait and fish products.
• Ecological Concerns: Critics argue that the removal of significant menhaden quantities is degrading the ecosystem, negatively affecting species like ospreys and striped bass that rely on menhaden.

Low Reproductive Numbers and Menhaden Depletion

• In mid-June, researchers found only three young ospreys out of 84 nests checked in Mobjack Bay, part of the Chesapeake Bay.
• Scientists at the College of William & Mary, monitoring the local osprey population for over 50 years, recorded the lowest reproductive number.
• The decline in breeding success is attributed to the depletion of Atlantic menhaden, the osprey’s primary food source.

Lawsuit and Ecosystem Protection

• Recreational Fishermen Lawsuit: A group of recreational fishermen from Maryland sued the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, claiming it contributed to the menhaden decline by endorsing quotas that harm fish populations and the recreational fishing industry.
• Commercial Fishing Practices: Critics highlight the negative impact of industrial techniques used by companies like Omega Protein, which catch menhaden in unsustainable quantities, contributing to the decline of other species and damaging ecosystems.
• Restoring Menhaden Stocks: Non-profit organizations advocate for rebuilding menhaden populations along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts to maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Positive Signs beyond Chesapeake Bay

• Menhaden Recovery: Outside the Chesapeake Bay, menhaden populations have increased since the Atlantic commission took measures to address overfishing in 2012, leading to a recovery of the fish population within two years.
• Ecological Impact: The recovery of menhaden populations has brought back various predators such as humpback whales, tuna, sharks, and bald eagles off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.

Central Idea

• India’s faunal database expands with the addition of 664 animal species in 2022.
• The database also includes 339 new plant taxa, comprising new species and distributional records.

Report- New Species and New Records 2023

• The faunal discoveries have been compiled in a publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) titled “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023.”

[A] Faunal Discoveries

• Major discoveries include new species and records of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

1. Mammals: Three new species and one new record, including two species of bats from Meghalaya.
2. Birds: Two new records, such as the yellow-rumped flycatcher in the Andaman archipelago.
3. Reptiles: Thirty new species and two new records.
4. Amphibians: Six new species and one new record.
5. Fish: Twenty-eight new species and eight new records.

• Invertebrates constitute the majority of new faunal discoveries, with insects comprising 384 species.
• Vertebrates account for 81 species, with fish being the most dominant group.

Notable species

• Sela macaque (Macaca selai): A new macaque species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Macaca leucogenys: A white-cheeked macaque sighted in India for the first time.
• Glischropus meghalayanus: A bamboo-dwelling bat species from Meghalaya.
• Ficedula zanthopygia: The yellow-rumped flycatcher recorded in the Andaman archipelago.

Distribution of New Faunal Discoveries

The fauna diversity of the country increased to 1,03,922 species.

• Kerala: Recorded the maximum number of new species, accounting for 14.6% of all new discoveries.
• Karnataka: Followed with 13.2% of new species and records.
• Tamil Nadu: Contributed 12.6% of all new discoveries and records.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Accounted for about 8.4% of the discoveries.
• West Bengal: Represented 7.6% of the new discoveries.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Contributes 5.7% of the new discoveries.

 [B] Floral Discoveries

• The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) published “Plant Discoveries 2022,” which includes 339 new plant taxa.
• These discoveries consist of new species and distributional records.
• The discoveries encompass seed plants, fungi, lichen, algae, bryophytes, microbes, and pteridophytes.
• Seed plants comprise the majority, with dicotyledons contributing 73% and monocotyledons 27%.
• Western Himalayas and Western Ghats are prominent regions for plant discoveries.
• Kerala recorded the highest number of plant discoveries (57), accounting for 16.8% of all discoveries.
• The plant discoveries include wild relatives of potential horticultural, agricultural, medicinal, and ornamental plants.

Notable Floral Discoveries

• Nandadevia Pusalkar: A genus common in the Uttarakhand Himalayas.
• Nilgiriella Pusalkar: An endemic genus found in the southern Western Ghats.
• Calanthe lamellosa: An orchid species recorded for the first time in India, found in Nagaland.

Conclusion

• By compiling these new discoveries and records, India continues to expand its knowledge of its faunal and floral diversity, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts.