Why in News?
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, have recently discovered two new free‑living marine nematode species off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
About Species
- The two new species are named:
- Corononema dhriti
- Epacanthion indica
- Both are free‑living marine nematodes, not parasites; they live in sandy‑benthic habitats of the coastal ocean.
- They were discovered in samples collected off the Tamil Nadu coast and described by ZSI scientists.
Taxonomic and morphological features
- Corononema dhriti:
- A free‑living marine nematode adapted to benthic (sea‑floor) environments.
- Its morphology helps refine the genus Corononema, which is already known from other marine regions.
- Epacanthion indica:
- Possesses specialised mandibles and tooth‑like structures, making it a microscopic predator feeding on smaller organisms.
- Unlike many nematodes that eat microbes, this predatory habit places it higher in the benthic food web, indicating ecological diversity.
Scientific and ecological significance
- The discoveries:
- Increase the number of known nematode species from India and the world, adding to taxonomic databases.
- Show that even relatively accessible coastal zones can harbour undescribed species, stressing the need for more systematic surveys.
- Nematodes play crucial roles in:
- Nutrient cycling (decomposition, organic‑matter processing).
- Soil and sediment structure, and as prey for other benthic organisms.
Relevant context: other recent nematode discoveries in India
- In 2025, ZSI scientists also described a new soil‑dwelling nematode, Crassolabium dhritiae, from Odisha, named after Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI.
- That finding increased the global count of Crassolabium species to 39, with 9 now recorded from India, underscoring India’s rich soil‑invertebrate biodiversity.
Brief on nematodes (Nematoda) as a group
- Nematodes are unsegmented, worm‑like organisms belonging to the phylum Nematoda; they are among the most abundant animals on Earth.
- They occur as:
- Free‑living forms in soil, fresh water, and marine sediments.
- Parasites of plants, animals, and humans (e.g., hookworms, some crop pests).
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