Researchers from Berhampur University in Odisha have discovered a new species of marine amphipod in Chilika Lake on India's east coast. The shrimp-like crustacea, Demaorchestia alanensis, has been named after global expert Professor Alan Myers of University College Cork in Ireland. Professor Myers has made substantial contributions to global marine amphipod studies.
Finding And Naming
In January 2022, the researchers collected at least eight specimens of the new species, Demaorchestia alanensis, at Barkul beach in Ganjam district, Odisha. The researchers decided that the specimens comprised a new species, separate from the five others discovered globally, after conducting extensive surveys and laboratory testing. The characteristics of the newly discovered crab were reported in an article published on December 11, 2023 in the online version of the journal Zootaxa.
Unique Characteristics
Demaorchestia alanensis is white in color and less than 15 millimeters long, with 13 pairs of legs. Three pairs are designed for swimming, eight for walking on land, and the remaining two for prey capture and feeding. Two to three robust, hair-like projections on the anterior border of the gnathopod's propodus distinguish the species from others in the genus. It is a member of the subfamily Platorchestiinae, which is located along the Indian coast.
Contribution Of The Study
The discovery adds a new species to the genus Demaorchestia, bringing the total number of species in the group to six. The specimens will be studied further at the Zoological Survey of India's Estuarine Biology Regional Centre in Gopalpur-on-Sea, Odisha.
Ecological Significance
Amphipods play an important part in the marine ecosystem and the marine food chain. They are used to examine the effects of climate change and the health of coastal ecosystems. More research will be conducted to better understand the ecological roles of amphipods in coastal and marine ecosystems.
Previous Discoveries
This is not the researchers' first discovery. They had previously identified two marine amphipods, Quadrivisio Chilikensis from seaweeds near Nalaban and Talorchestia buensis on the West Bengal coast.
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