ZSI Scientists Discover Two New Marine Worm Species on West Bengal Coast

• A research team from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and international experts discovered two new species of marine worms (polychaetes) in West Bengal's coastal waters.
• The discoveries were made in the Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur district, highlighting the vulnerable marine biodiversity of the northern Bay of Bengal.
• One species, named for its unique jaw structure, thrives in extreme environments like sulphide-rich mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood.
• The second species is named in honour of Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman director of ZSI, and was found inhabiting wooden dock piles on sandy beaches.
• These worms, found in human-impacted and polluted habitats, demonstrate resilience and may serve as vital bioindicators for monitoring coastal health.