In News:

A new species of Dicliptera, named Diclipterapolymorpha, has been discovered in the Northern Western Ghats of India.

Habitat and Location:

• Diclipterapolymorpha was found in the grasslands of Talegaon-Dabhade, a region known for its grasslands and fodder markets.
• The species thrives in the harsh climatic conditions of the Northern Western Ghats, an area vulnerable to summer droughts and frequent human-induced fires.

Unique Characteristics:

• The species is fire-resilient (pyrophytic), exhibiting a rare dual-blooming pattern:
  • First Blooming: Occurs post-monsoon, typically from November to March/April.
  • Second Blooming: Triggered by grassland fires in May and June, during which the plant produces dwarf flowering shoots.
• The inflorescence structure is unique in India, with its cymules developing into spicate inflorescences, a feature more commonly found in African species.

Taxonomy:

• The species is named Diclipterapolymorpha to reflect its diverse morphological traits.
• It is taxonomically distinct within the Dicliptera genus, with no known Indian species exhibiting similar characteristics.

Conservation Implications:

• The discovery highlights the need to carefully manage grassland ecosystems, as the species is adapted to fire but still vulnerable to habitat degradation.
• Human-induced fires are essential for the species' blooming cycle but must be managed to avoid overuse and degradation of habitat.
• The species' limited habitat range underscores the need for conservation efforts to protect the delicate ecosystems of the Western Ghats.

Publication:

• A research paper detailing the discovery of Diclipterapolymorpha has been published in the prestigious Kew Bulletin.