Guttikonda Bilam
The cave is located around 3 km south of the Guttikonda village, which lies 15 km from Piduguralla, in the Palnadu district.
Discovery of Cave Fauna
In 2008, Dr. Shabuddin Shaik, a biospeleologist and faculty member at Acharya Nagarjuna University, made a significant discovery in Guttikonda Cave. While conducting research, he accidentally disturbed a pool of clear water, which became milky with tiny creatures. Upon further investigation, Shaik identified the micro-crustacean as a previously unknown species. This new species was named Andhracoides shabuddin in his honor. Shaik’s discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity hidden in Indian caves, much of which remains unexplored. His research sheds light on the evolution of various life forms and boosts taxonomy and biodiversity studies in India.
References
- ^ Guntur District, National Informatics Centre
- ^ Rao, G. Venkataramana (20 September 2018). "Zoological Society of London honour for A.P. scientist". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 October 2024.