Feature

Description

Scientific Name

Facciolella smithi

Discovery

Discovered by scientists at ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow

Habitat Location

Off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea

Depth Range

260 to 460 meters

Habitat Type

Deep-sea; benthic – likely inhabits seafloor or burrows into soft sediments

Family

Nettastomatidae

Naming Dedication

Named in honour of ichthyologist Dr. David G. Smith for his contributions to eel taxonomy

Feature

Description

Body Structure

Elongate, ribbon-like body; reaches just over two feet in length

Coloration

Two-tone body – rich brown upper half and milky white underside; likely aids in camouflage

Head and Snout

Large head with duckbill-like snout, giving a prehistoric appearance

Eyes and Vision

Small eyes adapted to low-light deep-sea environment

Teeth

Cone-shaped teeth; suited for grasping slippery or soft-bodied prey

Gill Openings

Crescent-shaped, located behind the head; typical of many eel species

Tail Regeneration

Most specimens showed signs of regrown tails; indicates survival adaptation in a predator-rich or harsh environment

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Facciolella smithi, recently discovered off the Kerala coast, belongs to which of the following categories?

A) Deep-sea coral

B) Marine mammal

C) Deep-sea benthic eel

D) Freshwater amphibian

Answer: C

Explanation:

Facciolella smithi is a deep-sea eel. Specifically, it belongs to the family Nettastomatidae, also known as the duckbill eel family.