COCHIN, INDIA Scientists have discovered a new species of snapping shrimp in the mangrove-rich waters of the Cochin estuary. The tiny crustacean, which uses a specialised claw to create miniature sonic booms, was identified by a team of researchers from the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography.

The discovery marks the first time this type of shrimp has been formally described from this region of Kerala. The shrimp has been named Alpheus madhusoodanai and belongs to a group of animals famously known as pistol shrimp. These creatures are renowned for their oversized snapping claws, which shut so fast they create a bubble that collapses with a loud pop, stunning prey, and may also be used by the shrimp to communicate.

The name Alpheus madhusoodanai was chosen as a tribute to Dr B. Madhusoodhana Kurup, a prominent figure in Indian marine biology. The researchers named the species after him to honour his "significant contributions to fish biodiversity, fisheries taxonomy, and the sustainable management of resources" in the state of Kerala.

The new species was first discovered during routine fishery sampling. Researchers found the shrimp tangled in stake nets, which are large, stationary nets used by local fishermen. While the first specimens were collected as far back as 2007, it took years of morphological study and modern DNA barcoding to confirm that the shrimp was indeed a new species.

To the naked eye, Alpheus madhusoodanai is a colourful resident of the estuary. Adult specimens are primarily olive green with striking blue-tipped claws and peach-colored fingertips. Their bodies are marked by distinct dark bluish-green or brown stripes, and they feature a sharp black spot on their tail segments. Physically, scientists say the species stands out from its closest relative, Alpheus rapax, because of its much wider major claw and a significantly longer segment in its front legs.

Beyond its looks, the shrimp is an ecosystem engineer. In-situ observations revealed it to be a burrowing type that acts like an underwater bulldozer. It uses its first pair of claws to plow through the seafloor, picking up and moving large particles of sediment to create its home.

While currently only known to exist in the Cochin estuary, the discovery highlights the hidden biodiversity of India’s coastal environments. Researchers believe the find underscores the need to continue exploring mangrove habitats, which often serve as nurseries for unique and undiscovered life forms.