Pune Beetle Species: A recently discovered beetle species named as Moreshwar in Morgaon village, Pune district has the ability to determine the time of death for both animals and humans. The discovery was made by Dr. Aparna Sureshchandra Kalawate, an esteemed scientist associated with Zoological Survey of India's Western Regional Centre (WRC) in Pune. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed international journal, Zootaxa, based in New Zealand.
The Moreshwar beetle, scientifically known as 'Omorgus (Afromorgus) moreshwar,'owes its name to its close proximity to the revered Moreshwar Temple (or Shri Mayureshwar) in Morgaon. This village holds sacred significance and is an important destination for Ashtavinayak pilgrims
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Belonging to the Trogidae family, these newly discovered beetles are necrophagous, commonly referred to ask keratin beetles due to their feeding habits. During the process of decomposition, blowflies are among the first insects to arrive in the early stages, while the final phase involves the arrival of keratin feeders. This makes the Moreshwar beetles vital contributors to the field of forensic science, as per the Indian Express report
Dr. Aparna Kalawate's research has previously understudied Trogid beetles in India. She has already described two new species, becoming the first Indian scientist to actively contribute to the documentation of the Indian trogid fauna. Previously, foreign scientists had undertaken the task of describing these species.
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The co-author of the research paper is Werner P Strümpher, the esteemed Director of the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History in Pretoria, South Africa. The study conducted by the Zoological Survey of India is a continuation of their previous year's findings, specifically the discovery of the Omorgus (Omorgus) khandesh species by Strümpher and Kalawate in 2023.
Dr. Kalawate stated the importance of the research paper, which includes an illustrated catalogue featuring all 22 valid species of the Afromorgus subgenus, along with their synonyms from the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. This valuable resource will aid researchers interested in delving into this complex and relatively unexplored field in India.
Hide beetles, as they are sometimes called, are known for their tendency to bury themselves in the soil, rendering them less photogenic. These beetles typically exhibit a black or grey coloration, often encrusted with dirt. Their distinct appearance is characterised by a bumpy texture and short, dense setae covering their bodies.