Two researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bhopal have identified six new species within the Globba genus, part of the ginger family, across Meghalaya, Mizoram, and West Bengal. These species, often termed "dancing girls" for their unique floral morphology, were discovered during floristic surveys in the monsoon season of 2022. Globba tyrnaensis, one of the species, was located in the Double Decker Living Root Bridge area of Tyrna village in Meghalaya, thriving at an elevation of 731 meters in a moist environment conducive to its growth. This species, due to its limited distribution, has been informally classified as endangered.
Other species, including Globba yadaviana and Globba paschimbengalensis, were found in Mizoram and West Bengal, respectively. The researchers, Ritu Yadav and Vinita Gowda, highlighted the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India as critical yet under-researched regions facing threats from rapid development. They emphasized the importance of these areas for their unique biodiversity and the need for focused conservation efforts to understand and protect the flora, fauna, and ecological patterns.
Source: NagalandPost