08/04/2024 : Daily Current Affairs for Prelims Exam (Arora IAS)

Built in 1340 by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, this dam served a dual purpose:
- Reliable source of water for irrigation.
- Defense against intruders.
Constructed using Delhi quartz, it exemplifies Tughlaq-era masonry skills.
Centuries later, the water source was diverted, but the structure remains a testament to its era.

Skin, the largest human organ, gets its color from melanin produced by melanocytes.
Sunlight exposure is considered a major driver of skin color variation across populations.
Genes, migration patterns, and environment all interact to create diverse skin tones.
A recent study has identified a wider range of genes influencing pigmentation.

India, the world’s second-largest onion producer, exports onions during two harvesting cycles.
Major onion varieties include Agrifound Dark Red, NHRDF Red, and Pusa Ratnar.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are the leading onion producers.
Exports go to Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Indonesia.
However, underpriced exports to the UAE have resulted in windfall profits for some importers, causing grievance among Indian farmers and traders.
- Windfall profits are unexpected gains due to factors like shortages.

4.Phanigiri: A Buddhist Gem Unearthed in Telangana

Phanigiri is a significant Buddhist site located in Telangana.
Situated on a hilltop along the ancient Dakshinapatha trade route.
Excavations revealed a Mahastupa, apsidal halls, votive stupas, viharas, and platforms with staircases.
Recent discovery of a coin hoard from the Ikshvaku period (3rd-4th centuries CE) sheds light on the site’s historical significance.
The Ikshvakus were Shaivite rulers, but Buddhism flourished under their reign.

5.Gape Limitation: Shaping Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ecology

The concept of gape limitation refers to a predator’s physical limitation in consuming prey that fits within its mouth.
This principle determines predator-prey relationships: small predators target small prey, while larger predators can consume bigger prey.
Gape limitations influence animal evolution:
- Prey may evolve increased speed or size to escape smaller-mouthed predators.
- Predators may evolve larger mouths to tackle bigger prey.
Understanding gape limitations is crucial for predicting how changes in ecosystems (predator/prey populations, habitat alterations, environmental disturbances) can impact their structure and function.