‘Robust' creature with ‘slim' lips found in Switzerland lake. It's a new species
Scientists scooped up their catch — and realized they'd discovered a new species.
A team of researchers spent two years visiting lakes and rivers of Switzerland as part of a biodiversity project. They suspected that some of the fish living in these waterways were being misidentified, according to a study published July 2 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology.
To investigate, researchers collected dozens of new specimens through electrofishing and combed archive collections for older specimens, the study said. Next, the team analyzed the DNA of the fish and studied their appearances.
A pattern emerged: Some of the lake-dwelling fish were genetically distinct and had subtle but consistent physical differences from known species, the study said. Researchers realized they found a new species: Barbatula ommata, or the lake stone loach.
Lake stone loaches have 'robust and elongate' bodies, reaching over 3 inches in length, the study said. They have 'small' nostrils and 'wide' mouths with 'slim,' bumpy lips.
Photos show the yellowy coloring and pattern of the new species. The fish vary in hue but generally have 'irregular roundish blotches, randomly distributed' on their bodies, researchers said. Some fish have a 'gold iridescent coloration.'
Lake stone loaches were found in shallow lake water from the shores to depths of about 4 feet, the study said. The fish were 'most abundantly found in small pebbles substrate, and among middle-sized stones' and primarily eat insects.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Greek word for 'eyes' because of the 'great diameter of its eyes.' The new species' common name refers to its natural habitat.
So far, lake stone loaches have been found in seven lakes in Switzerland, the study said. Historic records suggest the fish used to live in two more lakes 'but that its population has since declined drastically, likely potentially approaching local extinction,' the study said.
Researchers considered the new species to be endangered because of its limited distribution, decreasing population and the human-induced 'habitat degradation, primarily from urbanisation, pollution' and construction along lake shores.
The new species was identified by its coloring, lip shape, body proportions, internal anatomy and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 2% genetic divergence from related species.
The research team included Bárbara Calegari, Jörg Freyhof, Conor Waldock, Bernhard Wegscheider, Dario Josi, Lukas Rüber and Ole Seehausen.
The team also discovered a second new species: the North-Prealpine stone loach.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Researchers make incredible breakthrough that could solve major issue in medical industry: 'Unprecedented'
A breakthrough in tissue modeling could be a game-changer for both patients and the planet, offering a way to reduce the use of lab plastics and other synthetic materials. In 2019, scientists at Carnegie Mellon University developed a technique called FRESH — or freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels — to 3D-print living tissues using collagen. As SciTechDaily explains, collagen is "the most abundant protein in the human body" and provides "essential structure and support to nearly all tissues and organs." In simple terms, the method enables researchers to print soft, delicate materials — including collagen and living cells — within hydrogel without damaging them. This allows for the creation of lab-grown tissue structures that are both biologically accurate and highly functional. Recently, the team used this method to create the first-ever microphysiologic system made entirely from collagen. The researchers hope the lab-built tissue models could one day help treat conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, which happens when the body stops producing insulin in the pancreas. With this method, researchers could grow miniature pancreatic tissues that function like the real thing, offering a new way to study the disease, test treatments, or even develop transplantable tissue that helps patients produce insulin again. "Now, we can build microfluidic systems in the Petri dish entirely out of collagen, cells, and other proteins, with unprecedented structural resolution and fidelity," Adam Feinberg, a professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering at Carnegie Mellon, said in a statement. "Most importantly, these models are fully biologic, which means cells function better." Beyond the medical potential, the innovation could lower the use of plastics in research and modeling. And that has perks for both patients and the planet. Traditional lab research often relies on plastic-based scaffolds, molds, and containers to test cells in the lab. Most of these plastics are single-use and non-recyclable because of contamination, typically ending up in landfills or incinerators. By enabling the construction of fully biological tissue systems, the FRESH method reduces the need for plastic supports. If collagen-based tissue modeling leads to viable transplantable tissue, it could one day help treat — or even cure — conditions such as Type 1 diabetes. This would not only improve patient health but also reduce reliance on long-term plastic-based medical devices, including insulin pumps and synthetic implants. This shift away from plastic materials marks a major improvement for both research and patient care. As the researchers explain, a major limitation of existing tissue models is that they're made from artificial materials that don't mimic natural tissue. This limits their usefulness in drug development and therapy testing. But with new collagen modeling, scientists can conduct more accurate biological testing, improving research accuracy and speed. "Going forward, the question is not, 'Can we build it?'" Feinberg said in a statement. "It's more of, 'What do we build?'" Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oragenics, Inc. Announces U.S.-Based Drug Manufacturing Agreement to Support ONP-002 Clinical Development
SARASOTA, Fla., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oragenics, Inc. (NYSE American: OGEN), a biotechnology company developing intranasal therapeutics for brain-related conditions, today announced it has entered into a manufacturing agreement with Sterling Pharma Solutions, an industry leading CDMO with multiple US-based development and manufacturing facilities. Oragenics has partnered with Sterling Pharma Solutions for the GMP production of its lead drug candidate, ONP-002, for the treatment of concussion. This agreement is expected to ensure Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant drug product supply ahead of the planned Phase IIb clinical trials which the Company expects to start next year. The collaboration marks an important milestone for Oragenics as it secures domestic production capabilities to support its upcoming clinical and regulatory efforts. 'We are excited to partner with Sterling's facility in Cary, North Carolina, to support the production of ONP-002,' said Janet Huffman, Chief Executive Officer of Oragenics. 'This partnership is a critical milestone in our path forward for Phase IIb clinical trials. This partnership reinforces our commitment to quality, efficiency, and U.S.-based innovation and we believe this step will help streamline our clinical development strategy.' Sterling will produce ONP-002 under strict cGMP conditions for use in Oragenics' planned Phase IIb trials, a proof-of-concept study which will evaluate early efficacy of ONP-002 in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Chad Telgenhof, Chief Commercial Officer at Sterling Pharma Solutions, said: 'We are pleased to be partnering with Oragenics for the GMP production of its lead molecule for clinical trials. Our scientific expertise in CNS therapies and our ability to meet critical timelines will support the continued path to market for this transformative drug candidate.' This U.S.-based manufacturing agreement builds upon Oragenics' broader strategy to develop scalable, accessible, and fast-acting treatments for neurological trauma, beginning with concussion, a condition that currently has no FDA-approved pharmacological therapies. About Oragenics, Inc. Oragenics is a biotechnology company focused on developing intranasal therapeutics for neurological disorders. Its lead candidate, ONP-002, is being developed for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion. The Company's intranasal delivery technology is designed to deliver fast, targeted, and non-invasive therapy to the brain. For more information, please visit About Sterling Pharma SolutionsSterling Pharma Solutions is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with more than 50 years' experience in providing small molecule API development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in handling challenging chemistries. Sterling manages the most complex API challenges from proof-of-concept to commercial manufacture, as well as antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) research and development bioconjugation services. Sterling has six facilities employing more than 1,350 people: its HQ in Dudley, Cramlington, UK and a site in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; a European presence in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland; a dedicated bioconjugation and ADCs facility in Deeside, North Wales, UK; and two sites in the US, in Cary, North Carolina and Germantown, Wisconsin. Find out more at Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words 'believe,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'project' and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to those described in our Form 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this press release is as of the date hereof. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included in this press release and not place undue reliance on such statements. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by law. Oragenics, HuffmanChief Executive Officer813-286-7900jhuffman@ Investor Contact:Rich CockrellCG Capital866.889.1972ogen@
Miami Herald
20 hours ago
- Miami Herald
‘Transparent' sea creature with horn-like appendages discovered as new species
Off the western coast of Mexico, a 'transparent' sea creature with horn-like appendages swam through the water, or it tried to at least. But something caught it and pulled it toward the surface. Scientists looked at the 'gelatinous' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers visited the coast near San Patricio Melaque several times between 2018 and 2019 to survey its marine life. Their work focused on the smaller animals living in the open water, a 'poorly studied' topic, according to a study published July 11 in the peer-reviewed journal Diversity. To do this, researchers trawled the surface of the water with special, finely meshed plankton nets, the study said. Next, they sifted through what was caught, 'gently transferred' any interesting specimens 'to a cooler' and took the animals to a laboratory for further observation. Eventually, researchers caught several 'transparent' nudibranchs, or sea slugs, that didn't look like anything they'd seen before. They looked closer at these animals, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Pleuropyge melaquensis, or the San Patricio Melaque sea slug. San Patricio Melaque sea slugs have 'transparent, elongate' bodies measuring less than an inch in length, the study said. Their heads have two horn-like appendages known as rhinophores. Photos show the new species. Its internal organs are clearly visible and vary in hue from orange to white to dark brown. Unlike the majority of sea slugs which live on the seafloor, the new species lives in the water column, the study said. As a result, it has 'a suite of specialized traits' to 'enhance swimming efficiency and reduce visibility to predators in the open ocean.' San Patricio Melaque sea slugs swim by moving their bodies rapidly side to side, a similar approach to how snakes slither. Researchers also saw the sea slugs pooping, releasing 'thread-like strands of egg tissue' and changing their body shape from oval to 'nearly spherical.' Much about the new species and its lifestyle remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after San Patricio Melaque, a town on Mexico's central Pacific coast near the only three sites where the new species has been found, the study said. The new species was considered so unique that researchers placed it in a new genus, Pleuropyge, named after the Greek words for 'side' and 'anus' because of the 'position of the anus.' The new species was identified by its preferred habitat, body shape, internal anatomy, tail shape, reproductive system and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had 'major genetic distance' from other sea slugs. The research team included Jeimy Santiago-Valentín, Eric Bautista-Guerrero, Eva Kozak, Gloria Pelayo-Martínez and Carmen Franco-Gordo.
