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The Zoological Survey of India has named a new marine species of head-shield sea slug with ruby red spot which was discovered from West Bengal and Odisha coast after President of India Droupadi Murmu.
This species belonging to Melanochlamys genus was discovered from Digha of West Bengal coast and Udaipur of Odisha coast.
The new species of head-shield sea slug, which is found nowhere else in the world, has been named Melanochlamys droupadi.
What is Melanochlamys droupadi
Melanochlamys droupadi is a newly discovered species of head-shield sea slug.
It was found in the north-western Bay of Bengal, along the coasts of Digha in West Bengal and Udaipur in Odisha, India.
This unique sea slug is named after Droupadi Murmu, the first tribal president of India.
It is distinguished by its:
Brownish-black color with a distinctive ruby red spot on the left posterior side, which sets it apart from its close relatives in the region.
Longer posterior shield, accounting for about 61% of its body length, compared to other species of Melanochlamys.
Hermaphroditic nature, meaning it has both male and female reproductive organs.
Small size, typically reaching only up to 7 millimeters in length.
Preference for wet and soft sandy habitats in the low inter-tidal zones.
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