Bryospilus bharaticus

07.02.2025

Bryospilus bharaticus

Why in the news?   

            Recently, a new species of water flea was discovered from moss growth found on walls of Korigad Fort near Pune and named it as Bryospilus (Indobryospilus) bharaticus n. sp.

About Bryospilus bharaticus:

• It is a species of water flea belonging to the Bryospilus genus.
• This recent discovery from western India is the first for the whole of Tropical Asia.

Features:

• It uses antennae as ‘supports’ to crawl through thick, debris-filled water films on moss.
• The antennae have big spines that assist sideways and forward movement.
• The fleas’ main eye is absent because it lives in reduced light and does not require colour distinction for foraging.
• Distribution: It has been found in semi-terrestrial habitats in rainforests of West Africa, South and Central America, and New Zealand.
• Habitat: The distant relatives of this species are found in open waters, while many are found in littoral (vegetated) regions of different water bodies.
• The genus Bryospilus is a unique animal with characteristic adaptations suited for living in "semi-terrestrial" environments, such as water film found on mosses.
• Ancestors of this species were potentially present on the Indian subcontinent before the breakup of Gondwanaland started approximately 200 million years ago.

What are water fleas?

• These are small aquatic animals belonging to crustacea groups that feed on small algae by filtering them from water.
• Most water fleas are found in freshwater habitats, but a few occur in marine environments.

                                                              Source: The Hindu

Bryospilus bharaticus, recently in news, is a:

A.Plant

B.Gecko

C.Mollusk

D.Water flea

Answer D