'Mermaid' species of algae discovered on Andaman and Nicobar islands after 40 years

reputation as a biosphere reserve is solely given to Andaman and Nicobar Islands as y have been subject of several scientific research on different species. A unique, new plant species have been discovered in Andaman Islands archipelago. During a visit to archipelago in 2019, Indian researchers found marine green algae. 

More about unique mermaid species

'Acetabularia jalakanyakae' is label given to algae by Punjab Central University researchers. A new type of algae has been identified on islands after nearly 40 years. As per researchers, term "Jalakanyaka," means "mermaid" while translating it in Sanskrit langu. It has been referred to as Hans Christian Anderson's vel " Little Mermaid." 

Due to its exceptional form, parent family of species Acetabularia is also referred to as "mermaid's wineglass." Acetabularia is world's biggest unicellular organism, both in flora and fauna. Despite ir sizes ranging from 0.5 to 10 cm, species in family only have one massive cell. 

newly found organism has a leaf-like circular green shape with lines like designs are meeting in  centre, as per researchers. Over approximately 2 years of rigorous verification, experts concluded that y had identified se algae for first time. researchers examined this plant's DNA and matched it to those of or plants species over course of 18 months. 

According to Dr Felix Bast study who was lead, described newly found species as amazing. He furr said that  caps of plant resemble mermaids' umbrellas. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences wrote an article on this research. 

Several of world's remaining well-maintained coral reefs, even a diverse range of or creatures as well as algae, may be found on Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

archipelago boasts almost 86% of its area occupied in luscious green rainy forests and is home to thriving coral reefs. se are oceanic ecosystems formed by marine invertebrates that produce ridge-shaped formations. Coral reefs enable development of numerous creatures, including many kinds of green algae, which enhance and preserve ecosystem in a variety of ways. 

According to Dr Bast, increasing seawater temperatures are causing a drop in oxygen content in ocean, posing a threat to anything that requires oxygen to thrive even in case of this species. 

(Im Credit: Twitter)