Two new species discovered in Phrumsengla

Environment: Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) added two new species to its rich biodiversity with the discovery of Brown Pine (Podocarpus nerrifolious) and Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger) in December last year and in 2014 respectively. PNP research team led by forestry officer, Rinchen Wangchuk discovered Brown Pine from Parang in Saling of Mongar in December. Particoloured Flying Squirrel was spotted in Obi village in Lhuentse by the park’s Metsho gewog Risup (gewog forest representative), Sonam Dorji in July 2014. “It is new species to the park because Brown Pine wasn’t included in its earlier tree species list,” Rinchen Wangchuk said. “The Flying squirrel was spotted for the first time in the park and it certainly is a new record for PNP,” its chief forest officer, Ugyen Namgyel stated in a report. Particoloured flying squirrel Particoloured flying squirrel According to PNP’s report, Brown Pine as per book titled “Flora of Bhutan,” belongs to the family of Podocarpaceae, which represents the broadleaf species although when based on its leaf morphology, it is a conifer species. The research team recorded a total of 23 pole sized Brown Pine=read more =http://www.kuenselonline.com/two-new-species-discovered-in-phrumsengla/