Four-year-old Dhanvi from Kozhikode helps discover subterranean eel loach
KOZHIKODE: In a remarkable blend of childhood curiosity and scientific curiosity, a four-year-old girl has become the unlikely face behind the discovery of a new subterranean fish species from Kerala. Dhanvi Dheera, fondly called Juhu, first noticed the unusual fish while playing with water collected from a well in their house during a visit to Naduvannur in Kozhikode district. Her observation prompted her mother Aswani Lalu to investigate further, which eventually led to a groundbreaking scientific revelation.
Aswani, who used to draw water from a dugout perennial well owned by Malol Karthiayani Amma, noticed the tiny eel-like fish and informed local experts. The well, situated at an elevation of 150 m above sea level, receives continuous underground water flow from the hilly terrains of Vallora Mala and drains through a natural subterranean channel, making it an ideal habitat for rare aquatic life.
Responding to the find, a scientific team led by Dr K R Sreenath, Director General of the Fisheries Survey of India, and Dr B Pradeep of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kozhikode, collected specimens. Detailed morpho-meristic and genetic analysis confirmed that the fish represented an entirely new species. The eel loach was officially named Pangio Juhuae, in honour of little Juhu who first spotted it.
Their research was published in the Indian Journal of Fisheries, under the title 'Discovery of a new species of troglobitic eel loach from Southern India'. The study was co-authored by scientists Dr K R Aju, Dr Sandhya Sukumaran, Dr Wilson Sebastian, Dr Alvin Anto and Dr Grinson George.
This marks the third discovery of a subterranean eel loach species in Kerala in recent years. Pangio Bhujia was first identified in 2019 from Cherinjal in Kozhikode, followed by Pangio Pathala from Tiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district in 2022. However, Pangio Juhuae stands apart with its distinct dorsal fin and more pronounced eyes, suggesting it has retained more surface-dwelling traits than its cousins.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Scientists teaching farmers new techniques to increase production: Shivraj
Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists would visit around 700 districts to teach over 1.5 crore farmers the use of modern technologies in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. "Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists are visiting around 700 farms across villages to teach the farmers about the use of modern techniques in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. " Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Scientists teaching farmers new techniques to raise production: Shivraj
Motihari: Union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said that more than 2,000 scientists are visiting around 700 farms across villages to teach the farmers about the use of modern techniques in allied farming under nationwide 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' (VKSA). Aiming to transform agriculture and fisheries by promoting advanced technologies in the sector, the central govt has launched nationwide VKSA, being held from May 29 to June 12, as part of which Chouhan was in the state on the day. "Our government has connected the agricultural scientists with farmers to make them aware of new techniques to raise production," he said while addressing a meeting of farmers in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Piprakothi in East Champaran district, adding this was the place where Mahatma Gandhi held his satyagraha for the first time against the British tax on poor farmers. "This place is the 'karmabhoomi' of Bapu. I am also a servant of people and have been doing work for the betterment of farmers and workers," he said. He also laid the foundations stones of several agricultural projects worth Rs 6 crore on the premises of the KVK at Piprakothi. "The teams of scientists will visit your doorstep to make you aware of modern technologies in allied farming," he told farmers. He praised the KVK of Piprakothi for doing "commendable work among the farmers" and being the foremost in Bihar. Besides, he praised the work done by former agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, who is also the Purvi Champaran MP. Singh said that the KVK at Piprakothi stands at the same place where farmers were once tortured by the "saheb of the kothi" (British officer). Now, it has turned into a temple for farmers, he said. State jal shakti minister Raj Bhushan Nishad, cane industry minister Krishnanandan Paswan and agriculture secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal were also present at the function.
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Hans India
Farmers urged to reduce pesticide use
Tadepalligudem (West Godavari District): The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025), a national initiative for farmers' empowerment, was formally launched at the state level in Pattimpalem village of Tadepalligudem constituency on Thursday. This programme was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Venkataramannagudem, under the aegis of Dr YSR Horticultural University. The 15-day programme runs till June 12. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and ICAR, the Government of India. Dr K Gopal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr YSRHU, inaugurated the event, urging farmers to reduce pesticide use and adopt biocontrol methods. He stressed the importance of balanced fertilizer use, soil health-based crop selection, and the horticulture sector's role in enhancing nutrition and income. Dr JV Prasad, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI, noted the campaign's farmer-centric approach and stressed the need for coordinated action to tackle field issues during the Kharif season. He also discussed the outreach of government schemes. Dr M Seshu Madhav, Director, ICAR-NIRCA, promoted value addition in crops like turmeric and Ashwagandha and encouraged natural farming. Dr K Suresh, ICAR-IIOPR, advocated oil palm cultivation and smart farming using ICT tools. Other dignitaries, including Dr B Govinda Rajulu and Dr KT Venkata Ramana, explained the role of drones, modern farm technology, and crop diversification. Scientists from ANGRAU, officials from agriculture and allied departments, and over 400 farmers participated in the event.
