Recently, a micro snail species named Georissa mawsmaiensis has been discovered in Mawsmai Cave in Meghalaya.
Context
Recently, a micro snail species named Georissa mawsmaiensis has been discovered in Mawsmai Cave in Meghalaya.
About Georissa Mawsmaiensis
- The new species differs from Georissa sarrita (a member of the same species discovered in 1851) in its shell morphology, starting from shell size variation to the presence of four very prominent spiral striations (a minute groove, scratch) on body whorls of the shell.
- These spiral striations, which are counted from the suture to aperture in apertural view, are seven in Georissa sarrita.
Habitat
- Georissa is found in soil or subterranean habitats in lowland tropical forest as well as high altitude evergreen forests or on rock surfaces rich in calcium.
Distribution
- Georissa Genus members are widely distributed and reported from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
- However, they are stored in small areas with limestone caves or karst landscapes formed by the dispersion of limestone.
Threats
- High influx of visitors may be detrimental to these species of tiny snails including some of the fauna in the cave.
Mawsmai Cave
- It is located in the small village of Mawsmai, about four kilometers from Cherrapunjee (Sohra) in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
- The word 'Mawsmai' means 'Oath Stone' in the Khasi language. The people of Khasi used the local name ‘Krem’ for the cave.
- The Mawsmai Cave is located at an altitude of 1,195 meters above sea level and is indirectly influenced by the tributaries of the Kynshi River from the East Khasi Hills.
- The cave is famous for its fossils, some which you can spot if you spend some time peering at the walls and formations inside.
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