Researchers discover new species of cricket in Ashoka University campus
The HinduThe discovery of a new species is always exciting but finding them in your backyard makes it more thrilling. That’s what happened to a group of researchers from Ashoka University when they found not one but three new species of bush crickets, two of them within the grounds of the university itself in Sonipat, Haryana, and one in Shillong, Meghalaya. The discovery of the three species started in the Khasi Hills, where Aarini Ghosh, the lead author of the study, heard a non-stop droning noise that sounded like it was coming from two different crickets. They also have unique leaf-shaped wings which help them camouflage from their predators like bats, frogs and snakes.” On their return to the Ashoka University, the researchers heard the familiar call of Hexacentrus khasiensis. “With high levels of agricultural activity and very low tree cover in this region, it really impresses on us to look and conserve species that are not only found in diversity-rich areas but also degraded ecosystems like Haryana,” said Bittu Kaveri Rajaraman, Associate Professor of Psychology and Biology at Ashoka University who was also part of the study.
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