In News:

A significant addition to India's rich biodiversity has emerged from the forests of Meghalaya with the discovery of a new beetle species, Spathaspina noohi. This unique species not only adds to the biological inventory of the region but also necessitated the creation of an entirely new genus, highlighting the ecological and taxonomic uniqueness of the organism.

Location of Discovery

• The beetle was found in the Umran area of Ri Bhoi district, Meghalaya.
• Elevation: 781 metres above sea level.
• The discovery was made by S. S. Anooj, entomologist from Kerala Agricultural University, and formally described by B. Ramesha in the international journal Zootaxa.

Taxonomic Significance

• Spathaspina noohi belongs to the Curculionidae family, commonly known as weevils, which includes over 60,000 species globally.
• Due to a highly distinctive sword-like spine on its back, it was classified under a new genus—Spathaspina, a name derived from Latin:
  • Spatha = sword
  • Spina = spine

Subfamily and Tribe Characteristics

• The beetle falls under the Ceutorhynchinae subfamily, which includes about 1,300 species worldwide.
• The subfamily is characterized by:
  • Compact, robust body
  • Ability to tuck their snout (rostrum) between the front legs when resting
  • A visible back structure (mesanepimera)
• Within this subfamily, the beetle is linked to the tribe Mecysmoderini, comprising 8 genera and 107 species. This tribe is noted for its thoracic spines and specialized antenna structures, mostly found in South and Southeast Asia.

Ecological Role of Weevils

While many weevils are considered agricultural pests, others, including Spathaspina noohi, play vital ecological roles such as:

• Controlling invasive plant species
• Maintaining ecosystem balance

Geographical Distribution of Ceutorhynchinae

• These beetles are present across most continents except:
  • New Zealand
  • Oceania
  • Antarctica
  • Southern parts of South America
• Their highest diversity is noted in the Palaearctic Region (Europe, North Africa, parts of Asia), followed by the Oriental Region (South and Southeast Asia).

Commemorative Naming

The species is named in honour of P. B. Nooh, IAS, Director of Tourism, Government of Kerala. This acknowledges his contribution to eco-tourism and sustainable development, symbolizing the interconnection between biodiversity conservation and responsible tourism.