In a remarkable scientific discovery, researchers have identified a new species of flatworm with powerful regenerative abilities in Pune’s Pashan Lake. Named Dugesia punensis—after the city where it was found—this freshwater planarian is the first new species of its kind to be reported in India since 1983.
The discovery was made by Mithila Chinchalkar, a PhD scholar at the Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce (affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University), under the guidance of Dr Ravindra Kshirsagar. Their study has been published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India.
Planarians are known for their astonishing ability to regrow entire parts of their body, and this newly discovered species is no exception. The team collected and cultured the worm specimens from the wetland ecosystem of Pashan Lake, which lies in the ecologically rich Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. The analysis used both physical characteristics and molecular genetic tools.
According to the researchers, Dugesia punensis has several unique traits. It is a small, delicate flatworm, measuring just 8 to 12 millimeters in length. It has a distinctive spotted dark brown body on the dorsal side, light brown back, and pale underbelly. The worm has bright black eyes enclosed within auricular grooves and a reddish circular egg structure.
The creature also displays a high tolerance for starvation. Even after going without food for up to 20 days, the flatworm was capable of regenerating completely within 10 to 13 days—an ability that sets it apart from many other known species.
Interestingly, its preferred diet includes chicken liver, a common food source used in lab studies. Despite its delicate structure, this worm has shown resilience and adaptability, making it a subject of great interest for scientists studying regeneration, biodiversity, and taxonomy.
“This discovery not only expands our understanding of the Dugesia genus but also underlines the ecological significance of Pashan Lake, which deserves focused conservation efforts,” the research paper states.
The researchers noted that further studies are needed to examine its reproductive organs and digestive system in more detail, but they believe this species holds great promise for regenerative biology and ecosystem research.