- Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India have discovered two new species of freshwater fish-Glyptothorax gopii and Garra simbalbaraensis from the north-eastern and northern parts of the country. Both fish are hill stream fauna and are equipped with special morphological features to suit rapid water flow. The details of the two discoveries were published in Zootaxa.
Glyptothorax gopii
- Glyptothorax gopii, a new species of catfish was found in Mizoram’s Kaladan river was in Champai district in near the India-Myanmar border.
- Measuring 63 mm standard length without caudal fin, it is dark brown on its dorsal surface, and its ventral surface is of a yellowish-light brown.
- It has been named to celebrate the contribution of taxonomist K.C. Gopi.
- It has an axe-shaped anterior nuchal plate (bone below dorsal fin), which makes it distinct from other species of the genus Glyptothorax.
Garra simbalbaraensis
- Garra simbalbaraensis was found in Himachal Pradesh’s Simbalbara river in Sirmour district.
- Measuring 69 mm standard length without caudal fin, it has a yellowish-grey colour fading ventrally.
- It takes its name from the Simbalbara river.
- It has a prominent unilobed and rounded proboscis with tubercles that help the fish in manoeuvrability.
