New eel species described from Arabian Sea, named after CMFRI
Researchers from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute have identified a new species of conger eel in the Arabian Sea. Named Ariosoma cmfriense, the discovery was made during the Deep Ocean Mission.
Why it matters
The discovery contributes to marine biodiversity knowledge and highlights the success of national deep-sea research initiatives.
Scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have claimed to have described a new species of conger eel from the deep waters of the Arabian Sea and named it after the institute to mark its 80th anniversary year.
The new species, named Ariosoma cmfriense, was collected from the waters off Kollam in Keralam at a depth of about 300 m in January 2026, according to a communication.
The specimen was identified as a distinct species based on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. It was distinguished from the 12 currently recognised Ariosoma species reported from Indian and neighbouring waters through detailed taxonomic examination, the communication said.
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