Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new polychaete worm species in Bay of Bengal

Exam-focused facts from the 10 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, from Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur.
Namalycastis solenotognatha inhabits sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood, distinguished by its channeled jaw structure.
Nereis dhritiae, named after ZSI’s first woman director Dhriti Banerjee, lives inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged at high tide.
Both species tolerate heavy human activity and industrial pollution, highlighting their resilience and potential as bioindicators for coastal health monitoring.