• UGI USER
  • Nov 11, 2023
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DEEP-SEA CRUSTACEAN DISCOVERIES OFF INDIA’S COAST

Why in the News?

  • An ongoing biodiversity study of deep-sea crustaceans along the Indian coast has led to remarkable discoveries of a previously unknown family, two new genera, and four new species of millimetre-sized crustacean parasites.

Source: The Hindu

 

The Uranoscopicolaidae Family:

 

  • A groundbreaking revelation is the identification of a new family of parasitic copepods, named Uranoscopicolaidae.
  • These copepods were found to inhabit the Dollfus’ Stargazer fish (Uranoscopus guttatus) residing in the southwestern Indian coast.
  • This marks the first-ever discovery and description of a new crustacean family from India.

 

Genus Hirodai ohstukai:

 

  • Within the newly identified family Uranoscopicolaidae, a new genus and species, Hirodai ohstukai, have been designated.
  • These parasitic copepods were found off Colachel, Tamil Nadu, and are known to infest a wide range of hosts, with a preference for fish.

 

Glyptothoa sagara and Elthusa aquabio:

 

  • Another discovery includes a new genus and species named Glyptothoa sagara.
  • The name ‘Glypto’ signifies its presence in the deep-sea fish Glyptophidium macropus, and ‘sagara’ represents the ocean.
  • This finding has been published in the international journal Zoological Studies.

 

 

Cardiodectes Vampire:

 

  • The fourth new species is Cardiodectes vampire, a flesh-penetrating parasitic copepod measuring 11-12 mm.
  • This species was named after the mythical creature that feeds on the blood of the living due to its translucent red color.
  • Cardiodectes vampire infests the deep-sea fish Chlorophthalmus corniger and was collected from trawlers operating off Neendakara, Kollam.

 

Implications of Discoveries:

 

  • These discoveries underscore the significance of studying deep-sea crustaceans in shaping marine biodiversity and ecological dynamics.

 

  • They reveal a world of associations in previously uncharted marine habitats, enriching our understanding of the marine food web.

 

  • The ongoing research emphasizes the critical role of previously understudied deep-sea crustaceans and highlights the need for conservation efforts to preserve these remarkable organisms and their fragile marine environments.