Five new species of fish found in North-East India

Five new species of fish found in Arunachal Pradesh

Question: In which of the following North-East Indian State five new species of fishes has been recently discovered?
(a) Sikkim
(b) Arunachal Pradesh
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

  • In August 2019 in a release from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) of Arunachal Pradesh informed about discovery of five new species of fish. Theses fishes have been discovered from different districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Research Team from Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Zoology Department of Rajiv Gandhi University made the discovery. The research team was headed by Professor DN Das.
  • The RGU research team published the details of the discovery in various International journals.
  • Newly discovered fish species are Mystus Prabini, Exostoma Kottelati, Creteuchiloglanis Tawangensis, Garra Ranganensis and Physoschistura Harkishorei.
  • Professor Das stated that there are more possibilities for the discoveries of new Ichthyo species from Arunachal in the future.
  • He said that although the task is difficult as the remote water bodies of the State are still not easily accessible to the researchers due to dense rainforests, steep terrains and communication problem.
  • According to the researchers this is sure that systematic exploration may result in discoveries of more new species.

Place of location of the new species:

  • Mystus Prabini: Sinkin and the Dibang rivers in Lower Dibang Valley district.
  • Exostoma Kottelati: The Ranga River in Lower Subansiri district.
  • Creteuchiloglanis Tawangensis: The Tawangchu river in Tawang district of the Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Garra Ranganensis: The Ranga River.
  • Physoschistura Harkishorei: The Dibang and the Lohit rivers in Lower Dibang Valley district.

Links:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/itanagar/five-new-fish-species-discovered-in-arunachal-pradesh/articleshow/70733308.cms
https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2019/08/17/five-new-fish-species-discovered-from-state/