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Context:
In the first systematic survey conducted in Delhi, scientists have documented four scorpion species inhabiting both urban and forested parts of the city’s semi-arid ecology.
- The research was carried out by:
- Gaurav Barhadiya and Aisha Sultana (Delhi University)
- Pratyush P. Mohapatra (Zoological Survey of India)
- Pragya Pandey and Sanjay Keshari Das (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)
- The findings are published in the Zoological Survey of India’s paper: “Scorpion Fauna of Urban Delhi, India”.
Key Findings
- Four scorpion species recorded:
- Chersonesometrus fulvipes
- Isometrus maculatus
- Compsobuthus rugosulus
- Lychas cf. biharensis
- These species belong to two families and four genera.
- Specimens were collected from locations including:
- Jahapanah City Forest
- Aravalli Biodiversity Park
- Lodhi Garden
Collection Methodology
- Scorpions were found by:
- Lifting rocks and boulders
- Searching leaf litter
- Peeling tree bark
- Exploring microhabitats preferred by scorpions
Significance of the Study
- India has 153 known scorpion species, but only one was previously reported from Delhi.
- This study is the first scientific checklist of scorpion fauna for the Union Territory of Delhi.
- The findings provide baseline data for future studies on scorpion diversity and urban ecology in India.
Source: TOI