Varadia amboliensis is a forest-living species of semi-slug belonging to the Helicarionoidea superfamily and was discovered in a Maharashtrian section of the Western Ghats in 2021.[1][2] The species is currently the only member of the newly created genus, Varadia, named in honor of the Indian conservationist and herpetologist, Varad Giri.[2][1] The species name is derived from Amboli, which is the locality where it was first identified.[2]
| Varadia amboliensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Varadia
|
| Species: | V. amboliensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Varadia amboliensis Bhosale, Thackeray, Muley & Raheem, 2021
| |
Description, Habitat and Behavior
editVaradia amboliensis is glossy grey or greyish-white with irregular dark mottling patterns, and up to 6.9 cm long, with a golden-brown shell. It is more active at night, and appears to be omnivorous, as it has been observed feeding on both decaying plant matter as well as smaller invertebrates like crickets and earthworms. It is primarily terrestrial, but can be seen on leaves, rocks and on walls depending on the climate and other factors. It is endemic to the Northern and Central Western Ghats of India, preferring tropical Evergreen forests or Semi-evergreen forests.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Karmakar, Rahul (30 June 2021). "Western Ghats record a new-to-science semi slug". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d Bhosale, Amrut R.; Saadi, Ahmed J.; Wade, Christopher M.; Thackeray, Tejas U.; Tamboli, Asif S.; Kadam, Suhas K.; Muley, Dipak V.; Raheem, Dinarzarde C. (29 June 2021). "Varadia, a new helicarionoidean semi-slug genus from India's Western Ghats (Stylommatophora: Helicarionoidea)". European Journal of Taxonomy (757): 50–79. doi:10.5852/ejt.2021.757.1413. ISSN 2118-9773. S2CID 237380808.