New Eel Species Apterichtus kanniyakumari Discovered off Tamil Nadu Coast

A new marine species named Apterichtus kanniyakumari has been discovered off the Colachel coast in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant addition to India’s coastal biodiversity. The species belongs to the genus Apterichtus, commonly known as finless snake eels, and was identified by researchers from the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR). The naming pays homage to the southernmost district of India — Kanniyakumari. This find not only enriches India’s marine taxonomy but also highlights the ecological richness of the southeastern Arabian Sea region.

Discovery and Scientific Context

The species was found during marine biodiversity studies conducted by the NBFGR team near Colachel, a coastal town in Kanniyakumari district. Genetic analysis using the mitochondrial CO1 gene confirmed that Apterichtus kanniyakumari forms a distinct clade (group of organisms evolved from a common ancestor) from its closely related species Apterichtus nanjilnaduensis — another recently discovered species from the same genus.

This reflects the growing importance of molecular taxonomy in modern species identification.

Features of Apterichtus kanniyakumari

The new eel species is visually distinct and can be identified by,

• Golden-yellow body coloration
• Pale white ventral side of the head with yellow lines along the lower jaw
• Three black blotches:
• One behind the eyes
• One at the rictus (corner of the mouth)
• One behind the origin of the rictus
• These distinct morphological markers, combined with genetic sequencing, validate its status as a novel species.

What Are Finless Snake Eels?

Finless snake eels belong to the family Ophichthidae, named for their snake-like elongated bodies and lack of pectoral fins.

Key Characteristics

• Found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide
• Commonly inhabit sandy bottoms in shallow coastal areas, but some live at depths up to 800 meters
• Known for their backward burrowing ability using their tail
• Display cryptic behavior, spending most time beneath the seafloor
• These adaptations help them evade predators and ambush prey in their benthic (seabed) habitat.

Points to Remember

• Discovered by: NBFGR near Colachel, Tamil Nadu
• Named after: Kanniyakumari district
• Scientific genus: Apterichtus (finless snake eel)
• Identification: Golden-yellow body, black blotches, genetic CO1 clade distinction
• Habitat: Sandy seabed, shallow to 800m depth
• Family: Ophichthidae (snake eels)