Why in News?

Recently, Scientists from ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), identified 2 new marine species from Indian waters.

Pachycheles ravichandrani (Porcelain Crab)

• Location – Coral reefs of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep.
• Genus – Pachycheles
• Family – Porcellanidae
• Nomenclature – Honours Dr M. Ravichandran, former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, for contributions to marine biodiversity exploration.
• Distinct Traits –
  • Setae along lateral ridges and posterior margin of carapace.
  • Tiny, 3 mm, fits on a fingertip.
  • Distinct gap between fingers of minor cheliped.
  • Truncate cutting edge of minor cheliped.

Bascanichthys chepakakiensis (Snake Eel)

• Location – Bay of Bengal, near Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh).
• Genus – Bascanichthys
• Family – Ophichthidae.
• Nomenclature – Derived from Telugu words chepa (fish) + kaki (short for Kakinada) meaning fish from Kakinada.
• Methodology – Morphological examination + mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed new species status.
• Distinct Traits –
  • Dorsal‑fin origin before middle of head.
  • Slightly darker head, dusky to dark‑brown snout.

Reference

ICAR | New Species