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BENGALURU: Studies have shown that what appear to be bewildering colours in the wild are actually defenses against predators and prey. A global experiment study report published in the research journal Science on Thursday explains the reasons for it. The field study titled "The evolution and ecology of multiple anti-predator defense" -- also published in the Oxford Academic journal- Journal of Evolutionary Biology -- states that studies indicate that anti-predator strategy is more effective in helping insects survive potential predatory attacks. Along with global researchers, the Indian work was conducted by researchers and students from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. Dr Iliana Medina from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Dr William Allen from Swansea University, UK, conducted a global experiment on six continents using more than 15,000 artificial prey in three different colour patterns -- a classic warning pattern of orange and black, a dull brown that blends in, and a novel, potentially warning bright blue and black pattern. These artificial prey models are deployed in forest areas across the world, and they found that the natural predators presumably encountered them and decided either to attack and eat or avoid them. Findings of this experiment revealed that when it comes to deterring predators, the ecological context is crucial, and several factors play a part in determining whether a camouflage or warning strategy works best. "For a long time, scientists wondered why some animals use one defence over the other -- and the answer turns out to be complicated. The predator and prey community and habitat are all influential. This helps explain why we see camouflaged and warning-coloured animals all over the world," Dr Allen said.
Itanagar, Apr 4: Researchers have identified three previously unknown species of rove beetles in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the state's vast yet underexplored insect diversity. The study, published recently in the journal Soil Organisms, documented three new species under the genus Megalopinus - Megalopinus arunachalensis, Megalopinus mithun, and Megalopinus micros. The findings were the result of a collaborative study conducted by scientists from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) at Doimukh near here, and the University of Tubingen in Germany. The research team included Hiren Gogoi, Tagam ...Read More >
New Delhi: The national capital may soon witness a second thriving habitat for leopards, signalling a remarkable ecological revival. However, to make this possible, it is crucial to gain the trust of local communities, who remain wary of the leopard's return due to unpleasant experiences in the past.Asola Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled within the Aravali ecosystem, has long supported a sustainable population of wild leopards. Recently, these apex predators have also been spotted in the Yamuna floodplain, particularly near villages adjacent to the biodiversity park. Since 2016, leopards have been ...Read More >
Jaipur: In a two - day technical seminar "Next Generation Combat - Shaping Tomorrow's Military Today" organized at the Military Station Jaipur, the defence experts have laid stress upon enhancing the focus on developing indigenous solar-powered drones for extended endurance and better stealth capabilities considering the rapid evolution of drone warfare. As per the release from the defence officials, the sessions delved deeper into the pivotal role of advanced science and technology in shaping a strong, future-ready Indian Army which is an essential instrument of comprehensive national power ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the state police on Tuesday said it has arrested two accused wanted in several bomb blasts and communal murder cases after being on the run for over 25 years. The key accused among the two is Abubacker Siddique of Nagore. He is allegedly involved in the attempt to plant a pipe-bomb during the rath yatra of former home minister LK Advani in Madurai in 2011, among others. Other cases he is allegedly involved include the bomb blast at Hindu Munnani office in 1995 in Chennai, an explosion in Nagore the same year, and coordinated planting of bo ...Read More >
Pune: Passengers on board a Goa to Pune SpiceJet flight (SG-1080) had a scare on Tuesday evening when a window panel was found dislodged while the plane was mid-air.The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".But a person on board the plane -- a Bombardier Q400 -- told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger."There was no depressurization, but this shouldn't have happ ...Read More >
Dibrugarh: In one of the largest anti-encroachment drives in recent years, the Lakhimpur district administration on Thursday demolished 218 illegal homes and cleared 288 bighas of encroached land across three Village Grazing Reserves (VGRs).The eviction drive, which was conducted under the supervision of district commissioner (DC) Pronab Jit Kakoty and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gunendra Deka, saw a massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces, along with 12 excavators, at Phukanarhat, Debera Doloni and Christian VGR areas."The drive was conducted peacefully and no untoward ...Read More >
BENGALURU: Forest, environment and ecology department minister Eshwar B Khandre on Tuesday sought a report from the State Forest Department on the death of 82 tigers that took place in Karnataka in last five and half years. Speaking to media, he said, directions have been issued to submit a report of the tiger deaths within 10 days including natural or unnatural, exact cause of death. The report will also include whether the investigation conducted, report received, cases filed or action taken. The minister also sought for details if the carcass was intact or were any body parts missing, like ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Tigress Zeenat, which escaped from Similipal National Park and roamed across Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, is now suspected to be pregnant, a senior forest department official said. Captured in Bankura district of West Bengal after a dramatic 23-day journey through three States, Zeenat was brought back to Similipal and kept in a soft enclosure from January 1, where she was observed for several weeks. "She was found fit and healthy during her stay in the enclosure. On April 17, Zeenat was released into the wild," the official said. "Zeenat, even during her stay in a large en ...Read More >
Kolkata: Researchers from the Kolkata-headquartered Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered four new species of microscopic parasitic wasps. These wasps, belonging to the genus Idris Förster (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), were found in West Bengal and are primary egg parasitoids of jumping spiders (Salticidae). Uniquely, they exhibit gregarious parasitism, where multiple wasps develop within a single spider egg sac.The newly identified species -- Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus -- were collected between 2021 and 2023 from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitat ...Read More >
Gurgaon: The city, which is growing at a rapid pace, stands at a crossroads where it can learn from several innovative urban management practices of other Indian cities to tackle its own challenges. At the national conference of urban local bodies in Manesar on Thursday, mayors and municipal corporations from across the country shared their strategies, offering valuable insights for Gurgaon to consider.Surat generates Rs 140 crore from selling sewage-treated water to industries and has introduced artificial intelligence to detect waste dumping; Indore segregates waste into six streams at sourc ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: Raigad police beefed up security along the coastline after the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Delhi informed the ICG at Murud in Raigad district that a suspicious 'Pakistani' fishing boat has been spotted in the Arabian Sea about 3 nautical miles near Korlai Fort in Murud taluka on Sunday around 9pm. However, after a police probe, it was learnt that it was not a boat but a fishing net buoy or floater, which is attached to a fishing boat to keep the net afloat. The buoy had accidentally detached from some fishing boat and drifted away about five months ago, said Raigad superintendent of ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 1: Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the next stage of growth of Hyatt's business in India with the appointment of Vikas Chawla in the newly created senior role of President - India & Southwest Asia to lead the business in the region, effective April 1, 2026. The new leadership position reflects Hyatt's commitment to accelerating its expansion and deepening its brand presence in one of Hyatt's most strategically important growth markets. Also Read | 'Uniform Civil Code Will Be Implemented in Assam', Says PM Narendra Modi. - Appointment of Vikas Chawl ...Read More >
BENGALURU, India -- India doubled its tiger population in a little over a decade by protecting the big cats from poaching and habitat loss, ensuring they have enough prey, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and increasing communities' living standards near tiger areas, a study published Thursday found. The number of tigers grew from an estimated 1,706 tigers in 2010 to around 3,682 in 2022, according to estimates by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, making India home to roughly 75% of the global tiger population. The study found that some local communities near tiger habitats have als ...Read More >
Srinagar: The Guryul Ravine Fossil Park, one of the world's crucial fossil sites, is facing a serious threat due to encroachment and illegal waste dumping. The rare geological treasure in the Khonmoh area of Kashmir holds vital clues to Earth's prehistoric past, but illegal activities risk its fragile fossil beds and ancient sedimentary records. The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has appealed to the state government to take steps to protect the 252-million-year-old fossil site. In a statement, EPG said the establishment of a large illegal garbage dumping yard near the fossil park amounts to ...Read More >