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A piece of burnt coconut helped scientists uncover a species new to science in Sri Lanka. The discovery began more than 2 decades ago, when researchers trapped two unusual mice in the Knuckles Mountain Range. The animal has now been formally identified as Mus dumbara, or the Dumbara spiny mouse . But scientists still know surprisingly little about it.
The unusual discovery dates back to March 2004. Researchers were studying small mammals near Puwakpitiya, close to Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Mountain Range. Their peanut butter bait was not working.
So, they tried something different, burnt coconut. The change worked. A small female mouse was caught on March 11. Another was trapped six days later. Both animals appeared different from known mouse species in the area.
The researchers did not immediately declare the mice a new species. They compared their physical features and skulls with two closely related Sri Lankan mice, Mus mayori and Mus fernandoni. DNA analysis provided stronger evidence.
The genetic differences were large enough to show that the animals represented a distinct species. The new mouse showed more than 11.7% genetic divergence from its closest relatives.
Although the mice were collected in 2004, formally confirming the discovery took years. Scientists later returned to the region in 2014 and 2015 to search for more examples. They carried out around 1,900 trap nights. But they could not find another Mus dumbara. This has left scientists with a major mystery.
So far, the species has been recorded from only one valley in the Knuckles Range. Researchers do not yet know its population size or how widely it occurs. They also need more information about its habitat, diet and behaviour.
Sri Lanka is known for its rich biodiversity and high number of endemic species. The discovery of Mus dumbara shows that even small and overlooked mammals can hide evolutionary secrets.
But its apparent rarity could also be a warning. Habitat loss, roads, land clearance, plantations and climate change could threaten species with very restricted ranges.
A simple bait experiment involving burnt coconut has opened the door to a species that remained scientifically unknown for more than 20 years. Gurpreet Singh first published: Sep 13, 2026 10:18 am Discover the latest Business News , Sensex , and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
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