New Microscopic Land Snail Species 'Dicharax tilariensis' Discovered in Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Why in the News?

Researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation have discovered a new species of microscopic land snail named **Dicharax tilariensis** from the Tilari region in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. The discovery was published in the *Journal of Conchology* by the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland on October 24, 2026.

Key Features / Major Points:

- Research Team: Discovered by researchers **Amrut Bhosale, Tejas Thackeray, and Akshay Khandekar** of the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation.

- Location & Habitat:

- Found near Swapnavel Point, close to Tilarinagar in Kolhapur district, at an elevation of 700–800 metres above sea level.

- Inhabits semi-evergreen forest litter, moist soil, and decaying organic leaf debris.

- Significance & Endemism:

- Represents only the **second known species** of the genus *Dicharax* endemic to the northern Western Ghats.

- Named *tilariensis* after the Tilari landscape where it was identified.

Static GK Facts:

- Western Ghats:

- Alternate Name: **Sahyadri Mountain Range**.

- Status: Designated as a **UNESCO World Heritage Site** in 2012 and one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity.

- Geographic Extent: Spans across 6 Indian states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu).

- Conchology:

- The branch of malacology that studies **mollusc shells**.

One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):

Q: What is the scientific name of the new microscopic land snail species discovered in the Tilari region of Maharashtra?

A: Dicharax tilariensis

Q: Which wildlife organization's research team discovered the snail species Dicharax tilariensis?

A: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation

Q: What is the scientific study of mollusc shells called?

A: Conchology

Q: In which year were the Western Ghats inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A: 2012

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