Melanochlamys droupadi

Overview

• Scientific Classification:
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Mollusca
  • Class: Gastropoda
  • Order: Cephalaspidea
  • Family: Aglajidae
  • Genus: Melanochlamys
  • Species: M. droupadi
• Discovery:
  • Described in 2023 by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
  • Named in honor of Droupadi Murmu, the President of India.
• Type Locality: Coastal waters of West Bengal and Odisha (Bay of Bengal).

Physical Description

• Size:
  • Smaller than its congener M. bengalensis; exact measurements pending formal publication (estimated ≤3 cm in length).
• Coloration:
  • Mottled brown to black body with a distinctive ruby red spot on the posterior shield.
  • Translucent appearance common in shallow-water aglajids.
• Morphology:
  • Head shield: Characteristic of Aglajidae, aiding in burrowing through sandy/muddy substrates.
  • Parapodia: Fleshy lateral flaps used for swimming.
  • Reduced internal shell, typical of cephalaspideans.

Behavior & Ecology

• Diet:
  • Rapid hunter, preys on mobile organisms:
    • Shelled/unshelled sea slugs, roundworms, marine worms, and small fish.
  • Uses a proboscis to capture prey, aided by chemical sensing.
• Activity:
  • Benthic and diurnal; burrows in soft substrates.
  • Agile swimmer using parapodial flaps.
• Reproduction:
  • Limited data; likely hermaphroditic (common in sea slugs).
  • Egg masses presumed to be ribbon-like, as in related species.

Habitat & Distribution

• Range:
  • Endemic to the Bay of Bengal; confirmed in coastal West Bengal and Odisha.
  • Shares habitat with M. bengalensis (discovered in 2022).
• Habitat Type:
  • Shallow coastal waters, likely intertidal to subtidal zones.
  • Sandy or muddy substrates with organic debris.

Taxonomic Distinction

• Comparison with M. bengalensis:
  • Size: M. droupadi is smaller.
  • Coloration: Unique ruby red spot on posterior (absent in M. bengalensis).
  • Morphology: Subtle differences in shield shape and radula structure (details pending peer-reviewed study).

Threats & Conservation

• Threats:
  • Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and trawling.
  • Climate change: Rising temperatures and ocean acidification.
  • Bycatch in fishing activities.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN: Not yet assessed.
  • CITES: Not listed.
  • India: No specific legal protection under wildlife acts as of 2023.
• Conservation Needs:
  • Urgent habitat monitoring and inclusion in coastal management plans.
  • Research on population trends and ecological role.

Cultural Significance

• Named after Droupadi Murmu, highlighting India’s commitment to celebrating biodiversity and honoring national leaders.
• Symbolizes the unexplored diversity of India’s marine ecosystems.

Conclusion

Melanochlamys droupadi is a newly discovered, ecologically unique sea slug endemic to the Bay of Bengal. Its discovery underscores the importance of marine biodiversity research in India. While threats remain unquantified, proactive conservation and taxonomic studies are critical to safeguarding this species and its habitat.