Bascanichthys chepakakiensis : New Species Of Snake Eel
Marine scientists have discovered a new species of snake eel lurking in the shallow waters of the Bay of Bengal and officially named as Bascanichthys chepakakiensis.
- It is a new species of snake eel discovered in Kakinada fishing harbour in Andhra Pradesh.
- The specific name, chepakakiensis, is a combination of two words from the regional Telugu language: chepa, which means “fish,” and “kaki, a shortened nickname for Kakinada.
- It is the only second time a species of this snake-eel genus has been described from Indian waters.
- It has a distinct bicoloured body.
- It has a noticeably shorter snout, a different tooth arrangement in its jaws, and fewer vertebrae before its anal fin.
- It also possesses incredibly tiny, flap-like pectoral fins that are barely visible.
- Snake eels are members of the family Ophichthidae, and are named for their snake-like appearance
- These eels mainly live in sandy areas in shallow seas, however some live in depths to 800m.
- They are found in both tropical and temperate waters in oceans around the world.
- The snake eel uses its tail to burrow backward into the sea bottom, creating a protective burrow.
