In Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang Valley, scientists rediscovered the rare velvet worm Typhloperipatus williamsoni after over a century. First documented in 1913, it had not been seen since and was believed extinct. From 2021 to 2023, scientists from ATREE located and genetically verified two live specimens.

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• Velvet worm rediscovered in Eastern Himalayas after 100+ years
• First seen in 1913, then vanished; known only via fossils
• Found in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh by ATREE scientists
• Search based on century-old clues, done from 2021–2023
• Only two live specimens located, verified through DNA
• DNA shows worm closely related to Southeast Asian species
• Confirms its position on the velvet worm evolutionary tree
• Rediscovery fills major gap in biodiversity records
• Habitat under threat from farming and deforestation
• Urges conservation action to protect this ancient species