Inputs by Hima Sutha
Researchers from Wayamba University’s Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries made a scientific breakthrough.
The researchers have discovered a new species of jellyfish and named it Carybdea wayamba.
Jellyfish are found in the sea, have no brain, and have stinging tentacles.
The research was initiated in 2017 and was code-named “Waya-jel-Survey” since it was established at
Wayamba University, situated in Sri Lanka.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, only a few systematic studies have been conducted on jellyfish. Therefore, the results of this study are a significant contribution to the field of science.
Furthermore, the university’s name is included in the name of the new species discovered as an honor to
the university.
Carybdea wayamba is the first species discovered and recorded by the university, and by some accounts, by Sri Lankan researchers.
According to the researchers from the university, C. wayamba is the first member of the Carybdea genus described from specimens collected from the North Indian Ocean.
A genus consists of a class of animals with common characteristics.
Krishnan Karunarathne, a PhD student at Wayamba University, started the research with his supervisor at the university, Dileepa de Croos, and stated, “Studying jellyfish is challenging, as there are only a few baseline surveys or proper identification guides,”
Karunarathne used various approaches to collect the specimen. He captured the specimens (Carybdea wayamba) from the sea by entangling them in nets. In addition to this discovery, ten new species that were previously unknown inhabitants in Sri Lanka were also discovered.
The paper detailing the research can be found here.
Why is this a new species?
About 40 specimens of the creature were collected and studied by the researchers.
According to the researchers, the genus is determined by its shape and tentacles. The second name, Wayamba, is to honour the university. It is normal to add the name of the discovering body in some way to the name of the new species.
Image above was submitted as supplementary material for the paper.
All images from the University website.