what is new?
2017 19
Scientists discover world’ s first fluorescent ent frog
Scientists have discovered polka dot tree frog( Hypsiboas punctatus), the world’ s first fluorescent frog in Argentina. The newly discovered amphibian sports a muted palette of greens, reds and yellows under normal light, but in the dark gives off a bright blue and green glow. What have Scientists discovered? Scientists found that the polka dot tree frog uses fluorescent molecules totally unlike those found in other animals. Scientists expect to find red fluorescence in these frogs from a pigment called In some insects, proteins bound to biliverdin emit a faint red fluorescence. However, in the polka dot tree frog, biliverdin turned out to be a red herring. In ultraviolet flashlight( or black light), polka dot tree frogs gave off an intense greenish-blue glow instead of a faint red. Three molecules hyloin-L1, hyloin-L2 and hyloin-G1 were responsible for green fluorescence. These molecules contain a ring structure and a chain of hydrocarbons, and are unique among the known fluorescent molecules in animals. What is Fluorescence? Fluorescence is the ability to absorb light at short wavelengths and re-emit it at longer wavelengths. It is rare in terrestrial animals. Many ocean creatures exhibit fluorescence, including corals, fish, sharks and one species of sea turtle. But, until now, it was unheard of in amphibians. On land, fluorescence was previously known in only parrots and some species of scorpions. But it is still unclear why animals have this ability. Scientists believe that Fluorescence may be shown by animals for the purpose communication, camouflage and mate attraction.
Endangered balsams( impatiens) plant species
Two new critically endangered balsams( impatiens) plant species were spotted on the peripheries of the Eravikulam National Park in Kerala. It is a major breakthrough in eco-conservation. Impatiens plants are also called jewel weeds. They are seen in pristine forests where moisture content and relative humidity are high.
The new species of balsams( impatiens) Impatiens Mankulamensis and Impatiens panduranganii were discovered from the shola forests on the periphery of the park and Mankulam forests. Impatiens panduranganii was first noticed in 2015 during a research on impatiens in the Pettimudi area. It is similar to Impatiens travancorica. These plants normally bear flowers in the rainy( Monsoon) season of July to October. Their flowers are white in colour with a pink border. They have been ncluded in the critically endangered category of IUCN( International Union for Conservation of Nature).