New microscopic crustacean species discovered in Lakshadweep:

Category : Science and Tech Published on: January 20 2026

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Scientists have identified a previously unknown microscopic crustacean from the Kavaratti lagoon in Lakshadweep, classifying it as both a new genus and a new species.
The organism belongs to the Laophontidae family under the Copepoda class and is so tiny that it can only be studied using high-powered microscopes.
Named Indiaphonte bijoyi, the genus honours India, while the species name recognizes S. Bijoy Nandan, former Vice-Chancellor of Kannur University and current dean at CUSAT’s Faculty of Marine Sciences.
The discovery was made by Neelima Vasu K. of CUSAT in collaboration with copepod expert Samuel E. Gómez-Noguera from UNAM University, Mexico, and has been published in the journal Zootaxa.