Berhampur: For the first time, a rare marine amphipod, a shrimp-like species, was found in Indian water at Arjyapalli in Ganjam district by marine science researchers of Berhampur University. The species identified as Stenothoe lowryi was earlier recorded in Malaysia while its distribution elsewhere remains unknown, said Shesdev Patro, assistant professor, marine science department, who led researchers.The study was conducted by funds provided under Mukhyamantri Research Innovation Extramural Programme (MRIEP) of the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) 2024-25.At least eight specimens were collected by researchers from the rocky habitat of Arjyapalli in Jan last year. After analysing those, the researchers confirmed it to be a new and rare marine amphipod species. Details of the species has been published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom’s latest edition, recently. The species is distinguished by its large claws and preference for rocky environments, said Shreeraj Nahak, a researcher and one of the co-authors of the article published in the journal.Although little is currently known about its ecological role, it is believed to contribute significantly to the marine food web, said Gitanjali Bhoi and Suman Patra, the other research scholars, who were involved in discovering the marine amphipod for the first time in Indian water. The species is around 5.5 mm in length. Currently, the molecular and ecological investigations of the new species are going on to gain deeper insights into the species, added Patro.Earlier, the marine science researchers led by Patro discovered another marine amphipod, a shrimp-like crustacea from Chilika lagoon near Rambha in Jan last year. They have named the species as Grandidierella geetanjalae in honour of Geetanjali Dash, vice-chancellor of Berhampur University. In Nov 2022, they had also collected the new species of marine amphipod from the Chilika lake at Barkul, named as Parhyale odian after Odisha’s native language.
