Latest news with #ZSI
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.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Indian scientists discover rare marine worm on Tamil Nadu coast
Written by Debasmita Chowdhury Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), led by Dr Anjum Rizvi and researcher Ms Ritika Datta, have identified a new species of marine nematode along the Tamil Nadu coast. This marks only the third globally recorded species of the rare genus Pheronous. The microscopic worm, christened Pheronous jairajpurii, was discovered during field studies on a Tamil Nadu beach. Free-living marine nematodes, according to marine biologists, play crucial roles in maintaining ocean ecosystem health and act as biological indicators for coastal environmental assessment. Until now, the genus Pheronous included only two documented species—one discovered in South Africa in 1966, and another in China in 2015, which was later also reported in Korean waters in 2023. The latest discovery means the Pheronous species spans at least three continents. The newly identified species has been named in honor of the late Professor M S Jairajpurii, a pioneering Indian nematologist who significantly advanced nematode research in India. 'The discovery of Pheronous jairajpurii is a testament to the incredible and often hidden biodiversity along India's vast coastline,' said Dr Dhriti Banerjee, Director of the ZSI. The identification not only expands the known distribution of the Pheronous genus but also highlights the rich biodiversity of Indian coastal waters. Marine scientists emphasize that such discoveries stress the need for systematic exploration and cataloguing of marine life, particularly microscopic organisms that often go undocumented despite their ecological significance. Microscopic analysis revealed distinct morphological traits that set P jairajpurii apart from its South African and Chinese counterparts. Detailed anatomical studies showed unique structural features, including specialised head formations and body segmentation patterns observable under high magnification. The sparse yet widespread pattern of this genus suggests it may have ancient evolutionary origins, with isolated populations emerging across ocean basins over geological timescales. (Debasmita Chowdhury is an intern with The Indian Express)
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Turtle research centre sought near Rushikulya river mouth
Berhampur: As Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district has emerged as a major rookery for Olive Ridley turtles, wildlife lovers and experts have demanded the establishment of a turtle research centre in the area to study the behaviour of the marine animal. The demand in this regard was made at a meeting observing the 'World Turtle Day' on May 23, at Purunabandh, near the river mouth. The meeting was organised by the Khallikote forest range. 'It's high time the government take steps to expedite the proposal for setting up of turtle research centre near the rookery,' said Rabindra Nath Sahu, secretary, Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee, an organisation working on conservation and protection of the Olive Ridley turtles. The Forest department has identified around 3.5 acres of government land near Purunabandh for the establishment of the proposed centre, sources said. Many speakers at the meeting said due to the active participation of local people in the protection and conservation of the endangered sea turtles, the Rushikulya river mouth has emerged as a major rookery. A record number of around nine lakh Olive Ridley turtles visited the beach for mass nesting in two phases this year. While 6, 98,698 Olive Ridleys had laid eggs on the beach in their first phase of mass nesting from February 16 to 23 in the 5-km stretch from Podampeta to Bateswar, over 2.05 lakh turtles had 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 in Khallikote range. He said a record number of baby Olive Ridley turtles had also emerged from the pits and moved towards the sea with the help of forest staff and local volunteers. Anil Mohapatra, senior scientist of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), said Olive Ridley turtles preferred to return to Rushikulya rookery for mass nesting due to its safety and protection. He said around 12,000 female turtles had been tagged by the ZSI and the Forest department in the 2021-23 period at Rushikulya rookery to monitor their movement. 'We have recaptured over 553 of them in the same site so far. This indicates that they preferred to revisit the rookery for mass nesting,' he added. Shankar Naryan Bez, coordinator of district Eco-Club, lauded the community participation in the protection and conservation of Olive Ridley turtles near the Rushikulya river mouth.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
150-year-old ‘mystery' over desert lizard's identity solved
By Sharadiya Mitra The Zoological Survey of India has solved a 150-year-old scientific puzzle by officially identifying the reference specimen of the Persian long-tailed desert lizard (Mesalina watsonana), a species first described in 1872 by naturalist Ferdinand Stoliczka. ZSI researchers Sumidh Ray and Dr. Pratyush P. Mohapatra have designated a single specimen—ZSI-R-5050, housed in Kolkata—as the 'lectotype,' or the defining representative of the species. 'Stoliczka, the then director of the Geological Survey of India, led an expedition to Persia and deposited numerous specimens in the Indian Museum which is now in with ZSI.,' said Dr. Mohapatra while speaking with The Indian Express. 'Over time, confusion arose regarding the species' identity. This study confirmed that the oldest specimen, collected by Stoliczka, was indeed the original, leading to its official designation as Mesalina watsonana, previously known as Eremias watsonana,' he added. First known as Eremias watsonana, the lizard is found across arid regions of South and Central Asia. The designation of the lectotype gives researchers a stable and globally accepted point of reference for future taxonomic and ecological studies. The newly clarified identity of Mesalina watsonana is expected to aid studies on desert biodiversity and lizard evolution across Asia. ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, said, 'Stoliczka's collections remain crucial for understanding reptile taxonomy in the region. Clarifying these names isn't just good science—it also honors the legacy of past researchers.' The move ends decades of confusion among herpetologists, who had long grappled with scattered and poorly documented specimens kept across museums in Kolkata, London, and Vienna. (Sharadiya Mitra is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)
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 !
