Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new marine nematode species off Tamil Nadu coast.

Exam-focused facts from the 8 April 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new free-living marine nematode species along the Tamil Nadu coast.
The findings were published on March 25, 2026, in the international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.
Corononema dhriti becomes only the fourth known species of its genus worldwide and is named after ZSI's first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
Epacanthion indica possesses specialised mandibles and tooth-like structures, making it a microscopic predator within the benthic food chain.
Marine nematodes recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter, maintain sediment health and act as bio-indicators of environmental change.