Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 9 August 2024 | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

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A new flowering plant species from 'ceropegia' genus has been discovered inside the Vishalgad premises and named 'ceropegia shivrayiana' in a nod to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
A research paper in this regard was published on Tuesday in Phytotaxa, an international journal published in New Zealand. This discovery also highlighted the biodiversity and ecological importance of Vishalgad Fort.
Akshay Jangam, Ratan More, and Dr. Nilesh Pawar from the botany department of New College in Kolhapur, Dr. Sharad Kamble from Chandwad in Nashik, and Prof Dr.
S. R. Yadav from Shivaji University, Kolhapur discovered this new species of plant belonging to the ceropegia family.
Akshay Jangam and Dr. Nilesh Pawar have been studying the flora of the fort in Kolhapur district for the past six years. In August 2023, a different plant of ceropegia (kandil pushp) class was found at Vishalgad Fort. An expert on ceropegia species in India, Dr. Kamble, who is originally from Kolhapur but currently working in Nashik, said there is a possibility that the flowering plant is a new species.
Plant scientist from Shivaji University Prof. S. R. Yadav, who has earlier discovered six new species of this 'Ceropegia' and given a distinct identity to this species throughout India, after final observations, concluded that the plant can be declared a new species. Accordingly, the research paper was submitted to the international journal.
Researcher Akshay Jangam said, “This species has been named in honour of great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, also known as Chhatrapati Shivray. The plant was discovered on one of his renowned forts, Vishalgad, further highlighting the rich biodiversity and historical significance of the region. This discovery not only adds to the botanical heritage of India but also pays tribute to the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Dr. Pawar said, “The reason for giving the name of Shivaji Maharaj to this new species is that Shivray realised the importance of the forts as well as the surrounding forests in the defence of Swarajya. Through his orders, he had reserved protected areas for plants through the forts in Sahyadri’s.”
[Excerpt from India Today “New Plant Species Ceropegia Shivrayiana Discovered at Vishalgad” Dated 09/08/24]

Q1: Where was the new flowering plant Ceropegia shivrayiana discovered?
(a) Western Ghats
(b) Vishalgad area of Kolhapur
(c) Eastern Himalayas
(d) Sundarbans

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Q2: What is the significance of the name "Ceropegia shivrayiana"?
(a) It is named after a prominent botanist.
(b) It honors Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
(c) It refers to the region where it was found.
(d) It is named after the research team that discovered it.

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Q3: Which journal published the research paper detailing the discovery of Ceropegia shivrayiana?
(a) Nature
(b) The Plant Journal
(c) Phytotaxa
(d) Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

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Q4: Who among the following was part of the research team that discovered Ceropegia shivrayiana?
(a) Dr. Sharad Kamble
(b) Akshay Jangam
(c) Dr. Nilesh Pawar
(d) All of the above

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Q5: In which type of environment does Ceropegia shivrayiana grow?
(a) Dense forests
(b) Coastal regions
(c) Rocky places with few nutrients
(d) Desert regions

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