Question: Recently New species of Pika discovered at which of the following place?
(a) Nepal
(b) Sikkim
(c) Nagaland
(d) Tibet
Ans: (b)
Related facts:
- On 30 September 2016 Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru have identified a new species of Pika, high up in the Sikkim Himalayas.
- The new species has been named Ochotona sikimaria.
- The new species is limited to Sikkim.
- Pikas are members of the rabbit family and live either high up in the mountains or in cold (temperate) places as they are highly cold-adapted.
- This feature of their biology makes them sensitive to habitat loss from increasing global temperature.
- The majority of Pika species described to date are of Asian origin.
- Pikas are particularly important because they are considered indicators of climate change based on studies in North America.
Reference:
http://news.ncbs.res.in/story/new-species-pika-discovered-sikkim-himalayas
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/new-species-of-pika-found-in-sikkim/1/772676.html
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/sikkim-new-species-of-pika-found-3048941/