Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Environment
Why in News?
Recently, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) formally confirmed the discovery of a new species of marine eel named Bathymyrus perplexus.
- The species identification was completed after analyzing 32 specimens collected between 2021 and 2025 across multiple coastal landing sites along the Bay of Bengal.
Physical Characteristics
- Taxonomy - Belongs to the genus Bathymyrus within the family Congridae (Conger eels).
- Morphological Attributes
- Displays a long, cylindrical body with coloration ranging from pink to cloudy pink.
- Characterized by heavy black pigmentation on the upper part of the head and a distinct black streak running from the eye to the snout.
- Possesses thin black margins bordering the outer edges of its dorsal and anal fins.
- Features specialized teeth present along both the upper and lower jaws, as well as the head region.
- Toxicity Status - Non-venomous marine organism.
- Habitat & Depth Distribution
- Geographic Spread - Recorded across the north-eastern Indian Ocean shelf, spanning coastal regions from West Bengal and Odisha down to Northern Andhra Pradesh (Godavari basin and Kakinada).
- Benthic Depth - Inhabits demersal zone waters at depths ranging between 50 meters and 100 meters.
Significance
- Adds a critical new taxon to the marine demersal fauna of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), underscoring the under-explored benthic diversity of the Bay of Bengal basin.
- DNA barcodes and physical holotypes preserved at ZSI Gopalpur serve as scientific reference points for future taxonomy and ecological baseline studies for marine fisheries management.
Reference
ETV Bharat | New Fish Species Discovered In Bay Of Bengal
