News– Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India discovered two new marine worm species along the polluted coastline of West Bengal.
These worms are “bio-warriors” that survive in extreme conditions where most life cannot, highlighting the delicate and often unseen biodiversity along India’s northern coasts.
About New Marine Worm Species
- Researchers discovered two new polychaete marine worm species that reveal hidden and resilient biodiversity along India’s northern Bay of Bengal coast.
- Location: The discovery was made in the Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur district in West Bengal.
- Discovery by: The discovery was made by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India in collaboration with international experts.
About Namalycastis solenotognatha
- Naming: Its name is derived from the Greek words solenotos (channeled) and gnatha (jaw), referring to its unique jaw structure.
- Habitat: It survives in extreme, sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and is found on decomposing mangrove wood and hardened clay.
- Key features: It has an unusual channeled jaw with many canals emerging from the pulp cavity.
About Nereis dhritiae
- Naming: The species is named after Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman director of the Zoological Survey of India.
- Habitat: It lives inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches that remain submerged during high tide.
- Key features: The species shows strong resilience by surviving in heavily polluted and human-impacted coastal areas.
