Guwahati, April 16 -- Amid growing concerns over habitat loss and urban expansion in Assam, a recent discovery indicates that ants are not disappearing.

Scientists have identified a new species of spiny ant thriving in the fragmented forests on the outskirts of Guwahati. This finding shows the ecological value of urban green spaces.

The new species, Polyrhachis garbhangaensis, commonly known as the "Assamese Spiny Ant", was found in Garbhanga Reserve Forest. This 117 sq km green corridor borders the city and is contiguous with Rani Reserve Forest.

This discovery counters narratives of widespread insect decline in the region. It also shows that even pressured forest patches continue to support undocumented biodiversity and complex ecolo...