Latest news with #Farham
Miami Herald
04-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Feathers of ‘fire' and species once thought extinct: See new animal discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent discoveries: Rare species — once declared extinct in the wild — rediscovered in French Polynesia On a small island in the South Pacific Ocean, the Moorean viviparous tree snail, once declared extinct in the wild, has been rediscovered. This species, native to French Polynesia, was decimated by the invasive rosy wolf snail but has been successfully reintroduced into its natural habitat thanks to conservation efforts. The discovery of wild-born snails suggests successful breeding, marking a significant milestone in reversing biodiversity loss. | Published March 28 | Read More | 'Large'-mouthed aquarium pet turns out to be new species in India. See the creature In northeastern India, a new species of fish named Channa nachi, or Farham's snakehead fish, has been discovered in a river in Meghalaya. This 'dwarf' fish, reaching about 5 inches in length, was identified by its unique coloring and large mouth. The species was initially mistaken for another and exported to Japan, highlighting the importance of accurate species identification. | Published March 31 | Read More | Armless creature with clawed toes found in Australian outback. It's a new species In the Gulf Plains Bioregion of northern Queensland, Australia, researchers have uncovered a new species of lizard called Lerista karichigara, or the Tagalaka slider. These armless lizards, with clawed toes and an angular snout, were found burrowing in the soil near trees. The discovery highlights the biodiversity of the region and the potential for finding more new species. | Published March 31 | Read More | Rare creature was elusive for years. Then it reappeared on trail camera — with cubs In Thailand's Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, a female tiger known as F22 was spotted on camera with her two cubs, marking a hopeful sign for the local tiger population. First seen in 2022, F22 had eluded researchers until recent images confirmed her presence and that of her healthy cubs. This sighting suggests successful conservation efforts in the region. | Published April 1 | Read More | Rare creature — with feathers of 'fire' — captured on trail camera in Malaysia. See it In Malaysia, the critically endangered Malay Crestless Fireback pheasant was captured on a trail camera in the Ulu Sat Forest Reserve. Known for its striking fiery plumage, this rare bird faces threats from habitat loss and is dependent on ground-level forests. The sighting underscores the urgent need for conservation to prevent its extinction. | Published April 2 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species. Check back for the latest studies.
Miami Herald
31-03-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Large'-mouthed aquarium pet turns out to be new species in India. See the creature
Near a village in northeastern India, a 'dwarf'-like creature with a 'large' mouth swam through the river — or tried to, at least. But something pulled it out of the water, moved it around and dropped it in a smaller pool. An aquarium keeper looked at his newest find. He didn't know it right away, but he'd discovered a new species. Farham Sangma, a 'fish hobbyist' who 'often collects fish for the aquarium trade,' visited a river in Meghalaya in 2017 and 2020 and found some colorful fish. He collected a few and later sent photos of them to Jayasimhan Praveenraj, a fish researcher, Praveenraj told McClatchy News via email. The photos immediately caught Praveenraj's attention. The yellow and blue fish didn't look like any known species. Praveenraj and a team of researchers took a closer look at some of these fish, tested their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Channa nachi, or Farham's snakehead fish, according to a study published March 27 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Farham's snakehead fish are considered 'dwarf' fish, reaching about 5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'large' heads with 'large' mouths and 'fleshy' lips. Photos show the 'unique' coloring of the new species. Researchers described it as having 'saddle-like, pale-brown bars' along its sides and 'bluish shades' toward its tail. Snakehead fish are 'regularly collected and exported for the international aquarium pet industry,' researchers said. Praveenraj said the new species was 'mistakenly exported to Japan in the year 2017' along with other snakehead fish. In their natural habitat, Farham's snakeheads live in 'a shallow, slow-flowing stream with moderately clear water,' the study said. So far, the new species has only been found in one river in southern Meghalaya, near the border with Bangladesh. Researchers said they named the new species 'nachi' after 'the local vernacular name for the species in Garo language spoken by the Garo tribes of Meghalaya.' The new species's common name refers to its initial discoverer. The new species was identified by its coloring, body proportions, fin shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 10% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Praveenraj, Nallathambi Moulitharan, Annam Pavan-Kumar, Ravi Shanthy Naveen, Tejas Thackeray, Rameshori Yumnam and Shantabala Devi Gurumayum.
