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New Land Snail Species ‘Theobaldius konkanensis’ Discovered in Maharashtra’s Konkan Region.

Environment | Dated: 08 Apr 2025

In March 2025, a collaborative team of researchers from India and the United Kingdom (UK) recently discovered a new species of land snail named 'Theobaldius konkanensis' in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The discovery was published in the international journal Molluscan Research (MR), based in New Zealand, highlighting the rich and relatively unexplored biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
  • - The discovery stems from a 2021 survey conducted across select locations in Ratnagiri and Raigad districts of Maharashtra.
  • - The new species was observed at Dev Gireshwar Temple (Ansure, Ratnagiri), Uttamrao Patil Biodiversity Park (Chikhali, Chiplun-Guhagar Road, Ratnagiri), Kesharnath Vishnu Temple (Shedwai, Ratnagiri), and Phansad Sanctuary (Raigad).

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Theobaldius konkanensis is endemic to the northern Western Ghats, a recognized biodiversity hotspot. It was recorded in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests at altitudes ranging from 80 to 240 meters above sea level.
  • (ii) The newly discovered land snail, Theobaldius konkanensis, features a thick, conoidally depressed shell with brown striations and a corneous yellow tint, giving it a distinctive appearance suited to its natural habitat. Its small size, though not precisely measured, sets it apart morphologically from related species.
  • (iii) The snail’s body is stout and rounded, an adaptation well-suited for survival in the humid, forested ecosystems of the Western Ghats. These features support its ability to thrive in evergreen and semi-evergreen forest environments.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

What is the name of the land snail species recently discovered in Maharashtra's Konkan region?

Correct Answer: Theobaldius konkanensis

🚀 Quick Recap: