State PCS - Maharashtra (MPSC)

• 12 Jun 2025

New Flatworm Species Discovered in Pune

Why in News? 

A new regenerating flatworm species, Dugesia punensis, has been discovered in the Pashan Lake, Pune. 

• The findings, published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India, mark India’s first discovery of a new planarian species since 1983. 

Note: Planarians are aquatic flatworms known for their remarkable regenerative abilities, earning them the title 'immortal under the edge of a knife'.

Key Points 

• About Dugesia punensis: 
  • The species has a spotted dark brown dorsal surface and a light brown back. 
  • The ventral side is pale, and the eyes appear bright black, enclosed in auricular grooves. 
  • Body length ranges from 8mm to 12mm. 
  • Features include slightly reduced auricles, an elongated pharynx, and a long gonopore. 
  • The eggs are circular and reddish in appearance. 
• Feeding and Regeneration: 
  • It feeds on chicken liver. 
  • Even after starvation for 15–20 days, the worm regenerates completely within 10–13 days. 
  • Researchers observed that Dugesia punensis is morphologically more delicate compared to known species. 
• Ecological Significance: 
  • The discovery underscores Pashan Lake’s role as a vital habitat for endemic species.  
  • Pashan Lake is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot and serves as a critical wetland habitat.