Apterichtus kanniyakumari - New Finless Snake Eel Discovery

Recently, researchers discovered a new species of finless snake eel named Apterichtus kanniyakumari, in honour of Kanniyakumari district’s cultural, linguistic, historical, and geographical significance.

• The species was discovered off the Colachel coast during deep-sea trawling at depths of around 100 metres, based on specimens reported by local fishermen.
• Apterichtus kanniyakumari is distinguished from its congeners by features including head length 9.6–9.7% of total length, tail length 1.8–1.9%, body depth at gill openings 42.1–54.8%, three preopercular and nine supratemporal pores, and conical uniserial teeth on jaws and vomer.
• Other identifying characteristics include distinct golden-yellow body colouration, a pale white ventral side of the head ....