New water-penny beetle species discovered in India’s Western Ghats

Jaechanax kuranganiensis larva. Credit authors - https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2025.3421

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown species of the unique aquatic insect known as the water-penny beetle, marking the first-ever record of its genus in Tamil Nadu. The discovery, made in the fast-flowing Kurangani stream of the Bodi hills, introduces Jaechanax kuranganiensis to the world.

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Madurai/ Nov 11, 2025

K Aravind Rao

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I am a Masters student in Physics at IISc. I am drawn to science writing by my own interest and by the opportunity to know about the research and the people doing it in the campus. Apart from writing press releases of journal papers, I am interested in doing longer stories covering current research in labs, profiling professors, students, etc. I am an avid reader and an amateur runner.

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Jaechanax kuranganiensis larva. Credit authors - https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2025.3421

K Aravind Rao

@iamaravindrao

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