Wildlife researchers at the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation have discovered a new species of hairy snail in Tillari, located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra near the Goa border. The species has been named after Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Japanese animator, filmmaker, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli.
The research paper was published in the international Journal of Conchology. The lead authors of the study include Amrut Bhosale, Tejas Thackeray, Dinarzarde C. Raheem, Swapnil Pawar, and Akshay Khandekar.
Speaking to Mid-Day, wildlife researcher Tejas Thackeray from TWF said, “We are delighted to announce the discovery of a new species, Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii, popularly known as the Tilari Hairy Snail. This unique snail is found in the lush semi-evergreen forests of Tilari in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, adding yet another hidden gem to the region’s rich biodiversity. The species is named in honor of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary Japanese animator, filmmaker, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, whose storytelling celebrates the intricate connection between humans and the natural world. Just like Miyazaki’s creations, this tiny snail reminds us of the wonders that lie hidden in our forests, waiting to be discovered and cherished.”
It may be noted that Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii is also the first-ever record of the genus Lagocheilus from the northern Western Ghats, extending its known range by a remarkable 540 kilometres.
The research article describing the new species was published recently in the Journal of Conchology of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
