Marine scientists have discovered a new species of snake eel, named Bascanichthys chepakakiensis, in the shallow waters of the Bay of Bengal along India’s eastern coast. Researchers identified the species through morphological and DNA analysis of specimens collected as bycatch from commercial fishing nets. The specimens were gathered from areas near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and the coast of Odisha. This breakthrough marks the second species of the Bascanichthys genus found in Indian waters, ending a 60-year gap since the last local discovery within this genus and increasing the global count to 20 species.
Classification and Etymology
Taxonomic Hierarchy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
- Order: Anguilliformes (Eels)
- Family: Ophichthidae (Snake eels and worm eels)
- Genus: Bascanichthys
- Species: Bascanichthys chepakakiensis
Origin of the Name
The specific epithet chepakakiensis is a combination of local Telugu words. “Chepa” means fish, and “Kakinada” refers to the port city in Andhra Pradesh near where the primary specimens were collected by researchers.
Morphological Features and Identification
Physical Distinctiveness
- Body Structure: The species features an elongated, cylindrical, snake-like body typical of worm eels.
- Coloration: It displays a distinct dorsal and lateral coloration pattern that separates it from closely related congeners.
- Snout and Teeth: The eel possesses a unique snout length and sharp, small teeth arranged in specific rows along the jaw.
- Fin Placement: The origin of the dorsal fin and the positioning of the pectoral fins serve as primary morphological markers to distinguish it from other Bascanichthys species.
Comparison with Closely Related Species
| Feature | Bascanichthys chepakakiensis | Bascanichthys deraniyagalai | Bascanichthys longipinnis |
| Primary Habitat | East Coast of India (Bay of Bengal) | Sri Lanka / Indian Ocean | Indo-West Pacific |
| Dorsal Fin Origin | Specific point relative to pectoral gill openings | Differs in distance from snout | Positioned further back |
| Vertebral Count | Unique count verified via X-ray | Lower total vertebrae | Higher total vertebrae |
Habitat and Distribution
Geographical Range
The specimens were exclusively retrieved from the shallow coastal waters of the Bay of Bengal. The distribution spans the intertidal and near-shore marine ecosystems of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Ecological Niche
- Benthic Dwellers: These eels typically inhabit soft sediments, mudflats, and sandy bottoms.
- Burrowing Behavior: They use their hard, pointed tails to burrow backward into the substrate, leaving only their heads exposed to catch prey.
- Threat Matrix: The collection of these specimens as bycatch highlights the impact of commercial bottom trawling on benthic marine organisms along the Indian coast.
IASPOINT Booster Facts for UPSC
- Ophichthidae Family: This family is commonly known as snake eels due to their physical resemblance to snakes. They are non-venomous and play a vital role in the marine food web as mid-level predators.
- Previous Indian Discovery: The last species of this genus reported from Indian waters was Bascanichthys deraniyagalai, documented over six decades ago.
- Bycatch Significance: Bycatch refers to the incidental capture of non-target species during commercial fishing. While ecologically damaging, analyzing bycatch often helps marine biologists discover hidden marine biodiversity.
- Bay of Bengal Biodiversity: The region is a global hotspot for marine fauna due to nutrient discharge from major river systems like the Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi, which creates rich estuarine and coastal ecosystems.