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Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
2 new fish species discovered
Berhampur: The researchers in Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Gopalpur and Marine Biology Regional Centre, Chennai have discovered two deep sea new fish species - Coloconger scholesi and Ophichthus erabo - from Kollam in Kerala. Anil Mohapatra, a senior scientist at ZSI, said the Coloconger scholesi belongs to a rarely reported eel genus, Coloconger, which, until now, had only one species (Coloconger raniceps) recorded from the Indian waters. "The discovery of this species marks a significant addition to the ichthyofaunal diversity of the region," Mohaaptra, who is in charge in ZSI's Estuarine Biology Regional Centre, Gopalpur, said. He added, "In the fresh condition, the body of the specimen appears uniformly blackish brown. Even after preservation, the coloration remains consistent and the fins retain a black hue. The tongue, palatine region, peritoneum and stomach are also black. The tube-like cephalic sensory canals and lateral line pores are distinctly black as well." About the Ophichthus erabo, he explained that this kind of Blotched Snake-Eel was first recorded from the Indian coast. Previously, it was not documented in Indian marine ichthyofaunal diversity. The species is distinguishable from its congener Ophichthus polyophthalmus by the presence of numerous dark brown semicircular blotches on the body. These blotches are denser and smaller on the head, becoming larger along the trunk and tail. The research was conducted by a team of scientists and scholars, including Mohapatra. Detailed descriptions of the Coloconger scholesi species have been published in the latest edition of Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom and Ophichthus erabo in National Academy Science Letters. "This discovery not only enriches the ichthyological database of India but also significantly contributes to understanding the true distribution and biodiversity of deep-sea fishes in the Indian Ocean region, " said Mohapatra.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
553 tagged turtles returned to Rushikulya in three years: Scientist
1 2 Berhampur: Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district is emerging as a major rookery for Olive Ridley turtles due to active participation of local people in the protection and conservation of these endangered sea turtles, said wildlife experts at a meeting organised by Khallikote forest range at Purunabandh to mark World Turtle Day on Friday. Senior scientist at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Anil Mohapatra said 553 turtles returned to the rookery for nesting in the last three years, with 365 of them this year. He said around 12,000 female turtles were tagged by the ZSI and forest department during the 2021-23 period at the Rushikulya rookery to monitor their movement. "We recaptured over 553 of them at the same site so far. This indicates that they prefer to visit the rookery for mass nesting. The reason being safety and strict protection measures," he added. Mohapatra said a record number of baby Olive Ridley turtles also emerged from the pits and moved towards the sea with the help of forest staff and local volunteers. Around 9 lakh Olive Ridley turtles visited the beach for mass nesting in two phases this year. While 6,98,698 Olive Ridleys laid eggs on the beach in their first phase of mass nesting from Feb 16 to 23 in the five-km stretch from Podampeta to Bateswar, over 2.05 lakh turtles laid eggs in the same stretch in the second phase of mass nesting from March 22 to 27, said Dibya Shankar Behera, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), in-charge of Khallikote range. "It's high time the govt takes immediate steps to expedite the proposal for setting up a turtle research centre near the rookery," said Rabindra Nath Sahu, secretary of Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee, an organisation working on the conservation and protection of the Olive Ridleys. The forest department identified around 3.5 acres of govt land near Purunabandh for establishment of the proposed centre, sources said. Shankar Naryan Bez, co-ordinator of the district eco-club, lauded the community participation in the protection and conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
