Indian President honored with namesake sea slug species discovery

Zoologists have made an exciting discovery in eastern India, where they have identified a new species of sea slug. This marine creature, named Melanochlamys Droupadi, has been named after the country’s president, Droupadi Murmu. The sea slug is characterized by its brownish-black color with a striking ruby red spot and can grow up to a maximum length of seven millimeters.

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) found the Melanochlamys Droupadi along a 3km stretch in the low inter-tidal zones of India’s eastern districts, specifically in the states of West Bengal and Odisha. They collected nearly 150 specimens from the north-eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal and conducted a thorough molecular analysis to confirm the species‘ novelty.

Sea slugs are fascinating marine creatures that inhabit various marine habitats worldwide, ranging from shallow intertidal areas to the deep sea. They can be found in polar as well as tropical regions and feed on small animals such as other sea slugs, marine worms, and small fishes.

The newly discovered head-shield sea slug is a small invertebrate with a shell inside its body and is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive parts. This species is only the second of its kind from the Indian region and the third true tropical species among the 18 known sea slug species globally.

The lead author of the study, Prasad Chandra Tudu from ZSI, hails from the same region as the president and decided to name the sea slug after her as a tribute to her high office. Dr. Tudu expressed his freedom as a scientist to name newly discovered species and chose to honor President Murmu’s ascension by naming the sea slug after her.

The findings of this discovery were published in the journal Mollusca Research, shedding light on the biodiversity of sea slugs in the Indian region. This new species adds to the growing body of knowledge about marine life and underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect these unique creatures and their habitats.

In conclusion, the discovery of Melanochlamys Droupadi highlights the rich marine biodiversity found in the coastal waters of eastern India. This new species of sea slug serves as a reminder of the wonders of the natural world and the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to preserve our oceans‘ delicate ecosystems.