Researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Cochin, Kerala, have identified two new species of needlefish from Indian waters. The discovery was made through genetic and molecular analysis, revealing that what was previously considered a single species, the flat needlefish (Ablennes hians), is actually a complex of at least three distinct species. The new species have been named Ablennes joseberchmansis and Ablennes gracalii, The New Indian Express newspaper reported.
The research was led by Toji Thomas, a scholar at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, under the guidance of Dr E.M. Abdussamad. The study focused on specimens collected from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. These needlefish are commercially valuable due to their palatability and nutritional content, and are primarily caught using hook-and-line methods. They are identifiable by their green spines and elongated beaks with sharp teeth, and they are sold at approximately ₹400 per kg.
These new species are abundant along the Indian coast and are typically found in the upper water column (0-20 metre depth). The identification of these species is significant to understand the biodiversity of marine life in India and has potential benefits for the country’s fisheries sector. Further research is needed to understand their distribution and population patterns fully. The findings were published in the Journal of Regional Studies in Marine Science.
