Researchers find new crustacean in Odisha’s Chilika Lagoon

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

Researchers from Berhampur University in Odisha, India, have identified a new species of marine amphipod, named Parhyale odian, in Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.

About Parhyale odian:

The discovery increases the total known species in the Parhyale genus to 16.
This particular species was distinguished by its unique characteristics, including a stout robust seta on the male’s first pair of legs, and it’s brown in colour with 13 pairs of legs.
The research involved collecting specimens from the intertidal region of the lagoon.
This finding contributes to the understanding of marine biodiversity in Chilika Lake and highlights the amphipods’ role in marine ecosystems and their potential as indicators for climate change impacts on coastal environments.
The discovery follows the identification of three other marine amphipods by the same research team in 2023, underscoring their continued contributions to marine biology.

Chilika Lake

Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second largest lagoon.
It lies on the east coast of India in the state of Odisha, separated from the mighty Bay of Bengal by a small strip of sand.
It spreads over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.
It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
Kalijai Temple – Located on an island in the Chilika Lake

Source: DTE