Mushrooms of Yenepoya University campus documented

Media Release
May 23, 2018

Mangaluru, May 23: In a unique initiative, Yenepoya University has undertaken a complete mushroom audit of the Derlakatte campus. The study conducted over a period of six months has yielded rich information on the macrofungal resources of the campus.

The information has documented in a ready reference book titled ‘Macrofungal Resources of Yenepoya University’. Chancellor Yenepoya Abdullah Kunhi released the book at a ceremony held on the campus on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 in the presence of Vice Chancellor Dr. M. Vijayakumar, Registrar Dr. G. Shreekumar Menon. The book is dedicated to Prof. M. Abdul Rahiman, former vice chancellor, Kannur and Calicut Universities.

Yenepoya is the first educational institution in the region to initiate such a study of mushrooms on the campus. Though mushrooms play a unique role in the ecosystem, importance is always given to only flora and fauna. Yenepoya has initiated other similar studies to document the flora and fauna of the campus too.

The study of macrofungal life on the campus was undertaken by a research team led by Prof. K. R. Sridhar, Dr. N, C, Karun and Dr. Bhagya B. Sharma during June-November 2016. About 60 species of mushrooms have been observed on the campus, out of which about 40 have been described in the book. Out of the 40 species published, 12 species are edible, 12 species are medicinal, two species ectomycorrhizal and one species is parasitic on insects.

Two species which are rare and known to be poisonous are also recorded.Yenepoya has strived to make its 32 acre campus into an eco-friendly zone. The institution has undertaken various measures for greening the campus with different landscapes like lawns, arboretum, bamboo thickets, medicinal plant garden, areca plantation, acacia groove. The campus includes a large rainwater harvesting pond, roof water harvesting, waste water treatment and recycling plant, vermicompost unit and solar power generation facility. The university carries regular environment audit of the campus and fosters eco club for the students. It is hoped that these activities will inculcate love for nature among the students who study here and inspire them to act as brand ambassadors for nature conservation in the future life.

Chancellor Y Abdullah Kunhi releasing the book ‘Macrofungal Resources of Yenepoya University’ documenting the mushrooms of Yenepoya campus at Deralakatte on Tuesday, 22 May 2018 in the presence of Vice Chancellor Dr. M. Vijayakumar, Registrar Dr. G. Shreekumar Menon, Prof. M. Abdul Rahiman, former vice chancellor, Kannur and Calicut Universities, Director Mohammad Kurshid, Finance Officer Mohammad Bawa and controller of examinations Dr Nandish, Prof. K. R. Sridhar and Dr. Bhagya B. Sharma (co-authors).

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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