24 Apr 2024 Vasuki Indicus
THIS ARTICLE COVERS ‘DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS’ AND THE TOPIC DETAILS OF ”Vasuki Indicus”. THIS TOPIC IS RELEVANT IN THE “Environment” SECTION OF THE UPSC CSE EXAM.
Why in the news?
Recently, scientists have said that fossil vertebrae unearthed in Gujarat are the remains of the largest snake that ever lived, which was longer than the T-rex. The fossil has been named after Vasuki, the snake king associated with Lord Shiva. Scientists from IIT-Roorkee discovered ‘Vasuki Indicus’ in 2005, and it was recently confirmed as a giant snake.
About Vasuki Indicus:
- IIT Roorkee Scientists named the fossil species Vasuki Indicus.
- The fossils were found in Kutch, Gujarat in 2005.
- The researchers discovered 27 vertebrae from the snake, some of which looked like large pythons and would not have been venomous.
- They estimate the snake’s length to be 11-15 metres (about 50 feet) and must have weighed 1 tonne.
- It belonged to the extinct Madtsoiidae snake family, which lived between the Upper Cretaceous and the Late Pleistocene.
- It lived in India more than 47 million years ago.
- It was a slow-moving predator catching its prey by squeezing, similar to anacondas and pythons.
What is Madtsoiidae?
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- The name “Madtsoiidae” is derived from the genus Madtsoia, which is the type genus of this family.
- Madtsoiidae is a family of extinct snakes that lived during the Cretaceous period.
- They were large constrictors, some reaching lengths of up to 6 meters (20 feet) or more.
- They are known from fossil remains in various parts of the world, including Africa, South America, and Australia.
The discovery of Vasuki Indicus is a significant milestone highlighting India’s biodiversity richness. This finding is not just about adding another species to the list of India’s biological treasures; it’s about deepening our understanding of how life on Earth has evolved and how continents have shifted over millions of years.
This discovery is pivotal for several reasons:
- It contributes to our knowledge of the evolutionary process, offering insights into how species adapt and evolve.
- It sheds light on continental shifts, as the distribution and diversity of species like Vasuki Indicus can reveal a lot about the geological and climatic changes that have shaped the Earth.
- It underscores India’s critical role in the origin and diversification of various species, particularly reptiles, highlighting its significance in the global ecological and evolutionary narrative.
Overall, Vasuki Indicus is not just a testament to India’s rich biodiversity but also a key to unlocking secrets of the Earth’s past, offering invaluable insights into the natural world.
Download Yojna daily current affairs eng med 24th April 2024
Mains Practice Question:
Q. Explain the importance of phylogeography in uncovering the historical processes that shape current biodiversity patterns.
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