Two marine worm species discovered on Bengal coast
Times of India | 6 February 2026
Kolkata: Scientists from Zoological Survey of India, in collaboration with international researchers, discovered two new species of marine worms along the Bengal coast, underscoring the region's rich but fragile marine biodiversity.
The discoveries were made in the waters of Digha and Bankiput in East Midnapore. The study, ‘Description of 2 new species of nereidids (Annelida: Nereididae) from West Bengal, India, Bay of Bengal', documents the identification of the new nereidid polychaete species—Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae. The finds, say experts, add to India's marine faunal records, especially in a region that remains under-explored.
Namalycastis solenotognatha derived its name from Greek words, meaning ‘channelled jaw', for the worm's distinctive jaw structure, marked by multiple canals emerging from the pulp cavity. The species lives in extreme environments, like sulphide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats, associated with decomposing mangrove wood. Named after Dhriti Banerjee, the current and first woman ZSI director, Nereis dhritiae is found in wooden dock piles on sandy beaches.
Researchers Jyoshna Pradhan, Anil Mohapatra and Tulio F Villalobos-Guerrero of CICESE, Mexico, said both thrived in areas impacted by human activity and pollution.