Discovery of New Fish Species in Kerala: Overview

Discovery of New Fish Species in Kerala: Overview

Question: A new cyprinid fish has been discovered in Kerala recently. Provide an overview of this new discovery.

- A new cyprinid fish called as Puntius Dolichopterus has been discovered in Kayamkulam city in Kerala

- New fish species was found, named and classified by Mathews Plamoottil HOD of Zoology at Baby John Memorial Government College located near Kollam

- This finding was documented in the latest issue of International Journal of Pure and Applied Zoology

- New freshwater fish was collected from a small stream of water flowing in Alapuzha’s Kayakulam city

About the New Species

- The Puntius Dolichopterus has a longer pectoral fin, short dorsal fin and extremely elongated dorsal spine

- It also has a longer head and lesser number of lateral line as well as pre-dorsal scales

- This species is different from its relative species because of 3 to 4 longitudinal lines below the lateral line

- The title conferred on the new fish “dolichopterus” is coined from Greek words pteron meaning wing/fin and dolikhos meaning elongated

- It refers to an elongated pectoral fin

- The body of this new species of fish is silvery while the dorsal fin is light orange red in colour

- Pectoral and anal finds are greenish yellow while the ventral fin is yellow

- Caudal fin is dusky and an inconspicuous dusky spot is presented on 21 and 22 scales

- Spine of the dorsal fish is rigid and long in length. It is also extremely strong

- This species of fish have a pair of small barbels

- These range between 7.3 and 8.7 cm in length

Habitat

- The fish is found in small and shallow waters

- It is edible and can also be used as an ornamental fish

Facts and Stats

- This new species of fish is located in the fish family Cyprinidae

- Its relative species include the following:

- Puntius nigronotus, Puntius viridis, Puntius nelsoni and Puntius parrah in Kerala,

- Puntius dorsalis in Chennai and Puntius chola and Puntius sophore found in the Ganga river.

- The International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature has accepted the new species

- 6 specimens of the new fish have also been deposited in ZSI at Port Blair.