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Miami Herald

‘Large'-eyed river creature with ‘sickle shaped' mouth discovered as new species

In a river of South Africa, a patterned creature with a 'sickle shaped' mouth swam through the 'dark peat-stained' waters. Its 'large' eyes scanned its surroundings and noticed something unusual coming toward it. Scientists scooped up the scaly animal with a net — and discovered a new species. Researchers visited several rivers in the Outeniqua mountains between 2023 and 2024 to survey aquatic life, according to a study published May 28 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Using a net, they caught almost 200 fish, studied and photographed them, then released all but about 20 fish. Previous scientists had encountered these 'speckled' fish and analyzed their DNA. Building off this research, the team examined its catch and realized it had discovered a new species: Pseudobarbus outeniqua, or the forest redfin minnow. Forest redfins have 'elongate' bodies, reaching over 3 inches in length, the study said. Their 'large' heads have a 'blunt' snout, 'large' eyes and 'sickle shaped' mouth with a pair of 'long' whisker-like barbels. Photos show the 'golden-tan' hue of the new species. Each of its scales has a 'darkly pigmented' center, giving it a 'distinctive speckled hen pattern,' researchers said. At the base of each fin is a 'bright scarlet' spot. Much about the lifestyle of forest redfins remains unknown, the study said. The fish seems 'relatively abundant' and was found in 'forest streams' around plants and rocks. Researchers said they named the new species after 'the Outeniqua mountain range' because it lives in 'streams draining (from the mountain's) southern slopes.' So far, forest redfin minnows have been found at roughly 16 locations along the southwestern coast of South Africa, the study said. Researchers considered the new species to be at-risk and 'threatened by invasive alien fish species, excessive water abstraction, increased sedimentation from forestry activities and pollution resulting from urban development and expansion.' The new species was identified by its DNA, preferred habitat, coloring, scale pattern, barbels, head shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. The research team included Fatah Zarei, Pedro Bragança, Paul Skelton and Albert Chakona.