ITANAGAR, Jan 2: Researchers from Rajiv Gandhi University has named a new plant species after Late Taro Chatung, the pioneer of electronic journalism in Arunachal Pradesh.
Momang Taram, a research scholar of Botany, A.P Das, visiting professor and Dr. Hui Tag of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, discovered the new plant species from Geku, Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh recently. The new species is named as Lysionotus chatungii M.Taram, A.P Das & H.Tag.
‘Our finding was published in the scientific journal Pleione, in which the specific epithet is named on Late Taro Chatung, the first and the most famous journalist of Arunachal Pradesh whose contribution to journalism in this remote state is immense and his interest and passion towards his work is admirable,' stated  Taram .
The species was discovered last year in the month of April  from Geku at an elevation of 873 metres above sea level at a geographical coordination  of 28° 272 483 N and 95° 82 103 E.
So far, the new species known only from its Type-locality in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeastrn India can be treated as endemic. The plant was found growing on rocks and on tree-trunks in moist shaded areas along the margin of a narrow but perennial stream. The estimated area of its occurrence is less than 3 km and the population is less than 100 individual. So according to the IUCN Red List Catogories and Criteria (IUCN, 2012) Lysionotus chatungii M.Taram, A.P Das & H. Tag should be accessed as critically endangered plant.
The genus Lysionotus D.Don is distributed from North India and Nepal Eastwards through South China, Taiwan, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar, North Thailand, North Vietnam to South Japan. In India there are 6 species of Lysionotius and 2 Varieties including this newly described species of which excluding  one species all are found in Arunachal Pradesh, stated a release.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
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