Sathyabama
scientists discover new nemertean worm from Chennai’s Kovalam beach
A recent collaborative research between
the Scientists of Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai,
Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia and National Museum of Natural History
(NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, USA have led to the discovery of a new species
of nemertean worm (Tetrastemma freyae) (Figure).
The new worm was simultaneously discovered
from both Hawaii (Oahu) and India (Chennai, especially from the rocky beach of
Kovalam). The result was published in the peer-reviewed
scientific journal “Zootaxa”.
“It took almost two years of
extensive field work and microscopic examination of different species and
specimens collected along the coast of Tamil Nadu (Chennai to Kanyakumari). The
new species was identified based on the external and internal morphology
combining with the DNA markers” said Mr. Vignesh, Research fellow, Sathyabama (inset
photo) and Ms. Ruchi, Research fellow, IIT Madras (inset photo) who collected
and identified the new worm species from Kovalam.
“The nemertean worm under the genus Tetrastemma
comprises of more than 110 species in the world, however, its diversity is
poorly recorded in India. Intense field explorations are much needed to
document the nemertean biodiversity in the Indian coastal waters. Moreover,
based on the study, we have also standardized the identification characters of
nemerteans for future studies” said Dr. Rajesh, Scientist at the Centre for Nanoscience
and Nanomedicine Research Unit at Sathyabama.
“The genus Tetrastemma is
such a complex species group and according to our data, tropical seas are
inhabited by many nemertean species that remain to be discovered. The present
study uses latest histology-free approach for identification of nemerteans. The
species has been named after Ms. Freya Goetz of National Museum of Natural
History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution, USA in honor of her several years of remarkable assistance
towards the field as well as laboratory work at NMNH” said the lead author Dr.
Alexei Chernyshev, Professor at the Russian Academy of sciences and Dr. J. L.
Norenburg, Smithsonian Institution, USA.
Lastly, “the new species has been
identified based on the integrative approach by combining both the morphology
and DNA markers for the first time in Tetrastemma freyae. Thanks to the
advancement in DNA based taxonomy which will help us to discover more complex
species group in the Indian waters” said Dr. Prakash, Scientist at the Centre
for Climate Change Studies, Sathyabama who is currently documenting the Kovalam
coastal biodiversity along with his colleagues.
Caption: Tetrastemma
freyae (inset picture: Mr. Vignesh and Ms. Ruchi)
