|
Stenothoe lowryi Recorded in Indian Waters for First Time in Odisha’s Ganjam
Researchers recently recorded a rare shrimp-like marine amphipod species, Stenothoe lowryi, in Indian waters for the first time. The discovery from Odisha highlights the rich marine biodiversity of India’s coastal ecosystems.
Stenothoe lowryi (Marine Amphipod):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenothoe lowryi. |
| Taxonomic Group | Marine amphipod crustacean belonging to the genus Stenothoe. |
| Physical Nature | Small shrimp-like marine species with smooth body structure. |
| Size | ~ 5.5 mm in length. |
| Key Identification Traits | Possesses long antennae longer than the head and first body segments and relatively large claws. |
| Habitat | Intertidal rocky pools and coastal rocky environments. |
| Distribution in India | Recorded for the first time in Indian waters at Arjyapalli in Ganjam district of Odisha. |
| Specimen Record | At least eight specimens collected during the survey. |
| Previous Global Record | Earlier reported from Pangkor Island in the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia. |
| Similar Species | Morphologically similar to the related species Stenothoe gallensis. |
| Ecological Role | Contributes to the marine food web and coastal ecosystem functioning. |
| Biodiversity Significance | Increases the number of stenothoid amphipod species recorded in South Asia. |
| Related Discovery 2026 | Grandidierella geetanjalae, another marine amphipod species discovered from Chilika lagoon. |
| Related Discovery 2022 | Parhyale odian, a marine amphipod discovered from Chilika Lake at Barkul and named after the Odia language. |