Discovery of New Marine Head-Shield Sea Slug: Melanochlamys droupadi
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| New Species | Melanochlamys droupadi |
| Discovery | Discovered along the West Bengal (Digha) and Odisha (Udaipur) coasts |
| Named After | President of India, Droupadi Murmu |
| Physical Characteristics | - Size: Up to 7 mm in length - Color: Brownish-black with a ruby red spot at the hind end - Hermaphroditic - Smooth dorsal surface |
| Habitat | Found in the intertidal zone of sandy beaches, crawls beneath smooth sand, forms moving capsules |
| Behavior | Leaves crawl marks, reproduces between November and January, secretes transparent mucus |
| Distribution | Endemic to West Bengal and Odisha coasts, unique in the Melanochlamys genus |
| Significance | Adds to marine biodiversity understanding, highlights the need for conservation |
| Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) | Headquarters: Kolkata Founded: 1 July 1916 Director: Dr. Dhriti Banerjee Founder: Government of India |