ZSI Discovers New Soil-dwelling micro-Arthropod in Kurseong & Ravanglain Eastern Himalayas

Scientists at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of Diplura, marking a historic milestone in Indian entomology. The discovery of Lepidocampa sikkimensis, a wingless, soil-dwelling micro-arthropod, represents the first time a species within this primitive hexapod group has been described by an Indian research team.

A Milestone in Indian Taxonomy

The findings, published on January 7, 2026, in the prestigious international taxonomic journal Zootaxa, conclude a nearly five-decade-long hiatus in domestic research on Indian Diplura. While 17 species had been previously documented within the country, all were historically described by foreign researchers.

Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI, remarked on the significance of the achievement as “The discovery of Lepidocampa sikkimensis is a vital contribution to the documentation of India’s soil biodiversity. Research into evolutionarily significant and lesser-known groups like Diplura is essential for understanding ecosystem functioning. This success underscores the necessity of sustained taxonomic efforts in biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas.”

The Discovery: Lepidocampa sikkimensis

Led by Dr. Surajit Kar, the research team—including Mr. Souvik Mazumdar, Mrs. Pritha Mandal, Dr. Guru Pada Mandal, and Mr. Kusumendra Kumar Suman—identified the species from specimens collected near Ravangla, Sikkim. Subsequent findings in Kurseong, West Bengal, suggest the species maintains a broader distribution across the Eastern Himalayan range.

Morphological Distinctiveness: The species is distinguished by its unique arrangement of body scales, specific chaetotaxy (bristle patterns), and specialized appendage structures.
Ecological Role: As primitive, blind hexapods, Diplurans (two-pronged bristletails) are fundamental to soil health, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling and the maintenance of soil structure.
Global Firsts in Molecular Identification

Beyond the description of a new species, the study provides a comprehensive update to Indian soil fauna records:

Rediscovery: The team successfully relocated a rare Indian Diplura subspecies, Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis, which had not been recorded in nearly 50 years.
Molecular Breakthrough: The study provides the first-ever DNA barcode data globally for an Indian Lepidocampa species, bridging a significant gap between traditional morphology and modern molecular phylogenetics.

(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a PIB Media Release)