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Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
ICAR-NBFGR discovers two new species of Rohu
Lucknow's ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) has discovered two new species of Rohu from the rivers of western ghats. With the discovery, they claimed to have resolved the 150-year-old identity when the two new species were confused as Labeo nigrescens (Rohu). The institute said that the discovery and the associated study was recently published in the Indian Journal of Fisheries as well. 'The ICAR–NBFGR has discovered two new freshwater fish species—Labeo uru and Labeo chekida from the rivers of the Western Ghats,' said the central institute's director, Kajal Chakraborty. 'With the discovery, the institute's scientists from the unit in Western region successfully resolved the 150-year-old identity mystery of Labeo nigrescens, first described in 1870.' The director further explained that Labeo uru, discovered in the Chandragiri River, is named for its sail-like dorsal fin, while Labeo chekida, a small dark-bodied fish from the Chalakkudy River, is locally known as 'kaka chekida.' 'The study also confirmed the distinct identity of L nigrescens based on unique morphological traits. This discovery highlights the rich, undocumented biodiversity of the Western Ghats and emphasised the need for continued scientific exploration and conservation,' said the institute in a press note.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Two new fish species discovered in Western Ghats, resolving 155-year-old taxonomic puzzle
Researchers at the Centre for Peninsular Aquatic Genetic Resources, Kochi, of the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources claimed to have discovered two new species of freshwater fish from the Western Ghats — Labeo uru and Labeo chekida, resolving the taxonomic identity of Labeo nigrescens, a species first described in 1870 but shrouded in confusion for over a century. The team led by V.S. Basheer used morphological analysis with historical specimens and fresh samples from Kerala and Karnataka rivers to clarify identities. Labeo uru, named after the traditional wooden dhow for its sail-like elongated fins, was found in the Chandragiri river, said a press release on Wednesday (April 23). The team had researchers R.G. Kumar and R. Charan as its members. Labeo chekida, a small, dark-bodied fish known locally as 'kaka chekida', inhabits the Chalakudy river. Both the species, endemic to their respective river systems, highlight the role of the Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot. The study also confirmed the true identity of Labeonigrescens, distinguishing it from similar species through unique features like a kinked lateral line and distinct scale patterns. Each river here may harbour unique lifeforms, said the research team, warning that dams and habitat destruction threatened such fragile ecosystems. The researchers emphasised that the Western Ghats would have more new species, and that collective efforts were required to discover new species.
