Kolkata; November 11, 2026

 

In a significant breakthrough in marine biodiversity research, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) have identified a new species of deep-sea shark from the Indian Ocean. The species, formally named Echinorhinus roinee and commonly known as the Indian Bramble Shark, was earlier misidentified for several decades as the Atlantic bramble shark.

 

The discovery highlights the rich and largely unexplored biodiversity of India's deep-sea ecosystems. The scientific description of the new species has been published in the journal Records of the Zoological Survey of India (Volume 126, Issue 1S, 2026).

The specimens were collected from Sakthikulangara Fishing Harbour in Kollam district of Kerala, where they were landed as bycatch by deep-sea shrimp trawlers.

Distinctive Physical and Genetic Characteristics

The Indian Bramble Shark inhabits continental slope waters at depths ranging from 350 to 450 metres and can grow up to three metres in length. It has a dark brown to blackish body covered with prominent thorn-like dermal denticles, which fuse into multi-pointed plates as the shark matures.

The species can be distinguished from its closely related counterparts by its relatively larger eyes, larger pelvic fins and longer snout-to-gill region.

Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcode genes confirmed that Echinorhinus roinee represents a distinct Indian Ocean lineage, genetically separate from the Atlantic bramble shark (Echinorhinus brucus) and the Pacific prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei). Genetically similar records suggest that the species' distribution may extend across the waters of Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Important Implications for Marine Conservation

The discovery has significant implications for deep-sea fisheries research and marine conservation. Bramble sharks constitute a notable component of deep-sea trawl and longline bycatch along India's southwest coast. Earlier fisheries and ecological assessments had recorded these specimens under the name of the Atlantic bramble shark.

The correct identification of Echinorhinus roinee will help improve the accuracy of fisheries data and provide a stronger scientific basis for assessing its population status, vulnerability and conservation requirements.

Scientists Highlight the Importance of Deep-Sea Biodiversity Research

Commenting on the discovery, Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India, said, "For decades, the bramble shark in our deep waters was assumed to be the same species found in the Atlantic. Our measurements and DNA evidence show otherwise. The Indian Bramble Shark is a distinct species, and it reminds us how much of our deep-sea biodiversity is still waiting to be properly understood."

Dr. Bineesh K. K. of ZSI, Chennai, emphasised the importance of accurate species identification in fisheries research and conservation. He noted that deep-sea sharks are frequently landed at fishing harbours but are rarely identified correctly, and that improved taxonomic identification would make fisheries data from the region significantly more useful for conservation planning.

Research Supported under Deep Ocean Mission

The study was undertaken by a team comprising Praveen Rozario, Bineesh K. K., Sweta Beura, Anil Kasinath and Dhriti Banerjee from the Zoological Survey of India, along with Akhilesh K. V. from ICAR-CMFRI. The research received funding support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences under India's Deep Ocean Mission.

The type specimens of the newly described species have been deposited in the National Zoological Collections at the Marine Biology Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India, Chennai.

The specific name roinee honours Roinee, daughter of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI.

*******

MSA/AS…

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2334975) आगंतुक पटल : 15