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DNA test suggests mussel peston Cochin coast to be invasive foreigner

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8 years ago

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~By Kollegala Sharma

Marine biologists at the Cochin University of Science and Technology have found that a heavily fouling mussel growing in backwaters of Cochin harbour could be a foreigner species.

Comparing the genome of the mussel with an international genetic database as well as with DNA of other species of mussels, they have concluded that the mussel seen near the shores of Cochin harbour is more like Mytilopsis sallei, which is found in the Lam Tsuen River in Hong Kong.

Biofouling is excessive growth of marine animals on structures and ships and is of great economic nuisance.  Extensive biofouling could weaken foundations of the harbour and ship hulls. Unabated fouling can make ships heavier and difficult to manoeuvre.  If it happens in the ballast filled with water, it could damage pumps and other machinery too.

Mussels, especially the Mytilopsis species are the prominent among the list of biofouling agents. The others are marine algae, microorganisms and corals.

A massive population of Mytilopsissp. was first noticed on wooden materials partially submerged in the water, in Ezhupunna region of Vembanad Lake, according to the researchers. The lake is several kilometres inland.  The population density was as high as 780 individuals growing in one square meter.  Their bulk weight and ability to grow together in large numbers means fouling by them could weigh down even heaviest of ships.

Mytilopsis sallei, also known as black striped mussel is a well known invasive mussel and has been known to populate strange seas across the world since 16th Century by riding on seafarer ships.

Dr. P.R. Jayachandran, M. Jima, Philomina Joseph, V.F. Sanu, and Dr.S. BijoyNandan (L to R)

Dr. P.R. Jayachandran, M. Jima, Philomina Joseph, V.F. Sanu, and Dr.S. BijoyNandan (L to R)

“In India, Mytilopsisspecies were recorded from Visakhapatnam harbour during the 1960s for the first time and then from Mumbai harbour in 1975. Our study records their presence in the south-west coast of India for the first time,” said Dr Jayachandran, a member of the research team.

In order to confirm if the species is Mytilopsis or not, the team took samples of DNA from five specimens and compared them with unique DNA portions or sequences of Mytilopsissallei from the Lam Tsuen River, and also with an Asian mussel Congeriakusceri.  It is difficult to distinguish between the two merely from their looks.

“The sequences of M sallei exhibited 0% intraspecific divergence which confirms that the sequence from Cochin mussels clearly matched with those from Lam Tsuen River, Hong Kong, thus confirming  bioinvasion of M sallei in the Cochin backwaters,” the study notes.

“The results confirm that it is one of the several Mytilopsisspecies, if not Mytilopsissallei.We can’t surely say that our specimen is Mytilopsis sallei, because many researchers believe that the Indian and other Asian population, including the Lam Tsuen River species, are indeed Mytilopsis adamsi and is wrongly labelled as Mytilopsis sallei,” said Jayachandran. That requires matching the sequences with the mussels that are native to Guatemala. That data is not available now.

In any case, mussels growing offshore in the backwaters of Cochin are surely not local. “This species is highly tolerant to salinity and temperature variations. Eradicating marine invasion is an extremely difficult.  A similar invasion in the harbour of Darwin islands required 2.2 million Australian dollars to chemically clean the water,” the study said.

India does not have adequate control measures to avoid marine pest or fouler intrusion except using antifouling paints on ships, and these antifouling paints are marine pollutants.

The research team included Dr PR Jayachandran, M Jima PhilominaJoseph, VF Sanu, and S BijoyNandan. The study has been published in Current Science. (India Science Wire)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

4 weeks ago

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September 4, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

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Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

Published

3 months ago

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July 14, 2026

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Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

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Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

1 year ago

on

August 18, 2025

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Subhanshu shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.

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