A research team from the city-headquartered Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), in collaboration with international experts, has announced the discovery of two new species of Nereididae worms (polychaetes) from the coastal waters of Bengal. Nereididae are a family of marine polychaete worms, commonly known as ragworms or clam worms. The study, titled “Description of two new species of Nereididae (Annelida: Nereididae) from Bengal, India, Bay of Bengal,” was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. The discovery includes two distinct species, one named for its unique biological traitsand the other in honour of scientific leadership. Nereidids are vital to coastal health, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling and sediment aeration.

Source: The Telegraph February 06, 2026 01:18 UTC