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)