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ONORGUS KHANDESH

17th February, 2023

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Context:  A new beetle species has been discovered in India, according to a paper published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa

Details:

About:

  • Omorgus Khandeshis necrophagous and is, therefore, also called a keratin beetle.
  • During the decomposition of a body, blowflies are amongst the first ones to arrive in the early stages.
  • Meanwhile, the final successional stage is with the arrival of the keratin feeders, thus their importance in forensic science.
  • The new species belongs to the Trogidae family.
  • With the addition of this new species, now there are a total of 14 extant species of this family in India.
  • The beetles of this group are sometimes called hide beetles as they tend to cover their body under the soil and hide.
  • They are not photogenic; they are usually black or grey and encrusted in dirt.
  • Their bumpy appearance is distinct, with short, dense setae all over the body.
  • The new species is morphologically most similar to Omorgus rimulosus. The latter is redescribed and illustrated to enable accurate recognition of both species in the new paper. 
  • Omorgus Khandeshis mainly associated with bird and mammal nests or burrows and the details of their life histories are poorly known.
  • They feign death upon being disturbed and become motionless.

Importance:

The beetle is important for forensic science as it helps detect the time of death of an animal or human. 

How are they different from regular beetles?

  • They are carrion feeders and are the last one to attend the carrion.
  • Hence, they are of forensic importance in the detection of the time of the death of the animal/human.
  • As they are mostly associated with bird and mammal nests/burrows, the details of their life histories are poorly known.
  • These new found beetles are less studied in the Oriental region, India particularly as compared to the other part of the world.

Important Fact:

  • Dr Kalawate is the first woman scientist to have discovered a new species in the country

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/meet-omorgus-khandesh-a-newly-discovered-indian-beetle-it-can-help-forensic-science-87718