ZSI Scientists Discover New Soil-dwelling Micro-arthropod Species ‘Neelus Sikkimensis’
In December 2025, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) announced the discovery of a new soil‑dwelling micro‑arthropod species, ‘Neelus sikkimensis’, in the high‑altitude regions of Sikkim, marking the first record of the genus Neelus in India.
In December 2025, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) announced the discovery of a new soil‑dwelling micro‑arthropod species, ‘Neelus sikkimensis’, in the high‑altitude regions of Sikkim, marking the first record of the genus Neelus in India.
- The finding was published in the Journal of the Entomological Research Society.
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- What? New soil‑dwelling micro‑arthropod species discovered
- Name: Neelus sikkimensis
- Where? High‑altitude regions of Sikkim
- Publication: Journal of the Entomological Research Society
- Global Species Count: 8 species
- Features: Microscopic springtail (Collembola), eyeless, lives in soil and moss layers, distinctive labral chaetotaxy
About Discovery of Neelus sikkimensis:
Research by: The research was carried out by the Apterygota Section of the ZSI, led by Dr Guru Pada Mandal, with scientist Kusumendra Kumar Suman as part of the team.
Global Species: With this addition, the global count of species within the genus ‘Neelus’ now has risen to eight.
Features: It is a rare species of springtail (Collembola).The species is microscopic in size, lacks eyes and survives in complete darkness within soil and moss layers.
- Its most defining feature is a distinctive labral chaetotaxy, the specific arrangement of bristles on its mouthparts.
Ecological Importance: Collembola, commonly known as springtails, play a crucial ecological role in maintaining soil health by aiding organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, supporting terrestrial ecosystem balance.
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