New deepwater catshark species Apristurus drona discovered off India's southwest coast

A new species of deepwater catshark, Apristurus drona sp. nov., has been discovered off the Kollam slope on the Southwest coast of India in the Southeastern Arabian Sea at depths of 400–650 m. The species is described based on four specimens (two males, two females, 439–473 mm total length) and belongs to the Apristurus brunneus subgroup. It is distinguished from related species by morphological features such as a slender tapering body, specific nostril and fin proportions, 11–12 spiral valve turns, and 105–115 total vertebrae, as well as DNA sequence divergence of the COI gene. Its closest molecular relatives are from the Southwestern Pacific, Northwest Pacific, and New Zealand.