What is the News ?

Recently, researchers at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) named a new species of marine tardigrade after the late former President and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Facts About:

• Batillipes Kalami, the newly discovered species found in Mandapam, southeast Tamil Nadu, belongs to the Batillipes genus.
• Notably, it's the second marine tardigrade discovered in Indian waters and the first from the east coast.
• This species is also the first of its kind taxonomically described from India and is the 37th species within the Batillipes genus.

Physical characteristics:

• It typically measures around 170 micrometres (0.17 mm) in length and approximately 50 micrometres (0.05 mm) in width.
• Its head has a trapezoid shape with sharp-tipped filament-like appendages (cirri) extending from it.
• Each of its four pairs of legs features sensory spines of varying lengths.
• Females are slightly larger than males.