Zoological Survey of India Discovers Two New Collembola Species in West Bengal
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency/ PIB, Kolkata, August 26, 2025: The scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of Collembola, which are soil-dwelling micro-arthropods, in West Bengal. This significant finding contributes to the understanding of the region’s rich biodiversity and the crucial role these organisms play in maintaining soil health.
The newly identified species have been named Salina aurantiamaculata and Salina pseudomontana. The former is named for its distinctive bright orange pigment pattern, while the latter’s name reflects its physical similarity to the species Salina montana.
The discovery was made by a research team from ZSI’s Apterygota section, led by Dr. Guru Pada Mandal, with contributions from Mrs. Pritha Mandal and Dr. Surajit Kar. The findings were published in the international peer-reviewed taxonomic journal Zootaxa on August 14, 2025.
Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI, praised the team’s efforts and emphasised the ecological importance of Collembola. “Collembola are vital to soil health, contributing to topsoil structure, nutrient cycling, and the decomposition of organic matter”, she stated. “Their role, though often overlooked, is fundamental to monitoring and maintaining the health of our ecosystems.”
The new species are unique in their body chaetotaxy (arrangement of bristles), distinct body colouration, and the structure of their furcula—a forked abdominal appendage. This appendage features a square mucro and an apical dental appendage. The species also possess composed eyes and lack body scales. Both new species belong to the cosmopolitan ‘celebensis’ group.
According to Dr. Guru Pada Mandal, this discovery is particularly noteworthy as it increases the number of known Salina species in India to 17. The last Salina species was documented in India in 1979, making this finding a significant event after a long hiatus. “This study underscores the necessity for ongoing research to fully comprehend the diversity of these organisms and their impactful contributions to soil ecosystems,” he explained.
This discovery reinforces the ZSI’s commitment to exploring and documenting the nation’s diverse natural heritage and advancing scientific understanding of the natural world.