New freshwater fish species discovered in Kerala, details here

A new freshwater fish species has been discovered in Kerala, a state blessed with freshwater resources, scientists said on Sunday. 

This fish belonging to subterranean snakehead species was found in well of a house in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district last year.  newly discovered fish, a cousin of well-kwn 'Varaal' and 'Cher Meen', is characterized by an elongated body, small size, a very large mouth, and most remarkably, fin rays of pectoral fin being greatly elongated as filamentous extensions.

WATCH: Great White Shark Leaps Out Of Water, Snatches Boy's Fish Mid-air In This Goose-bumps Inducing Video

It is hyposized that se extensions may be sensory in nature and used by fish to find its way in dark by touch. Researchers at Peninsular and Marine Fish Genetic. Resources Centre of ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) here have described species as Aenigmachanna Mahabali. fish was collected by Arun Vishwanath, a native of Thiruvalla from well in his house in April, 2018. discovery of this species comes on heels ofAenigmachanna Gollum, found earlier this year from Malappuram district.

It is remarkable that two species of Aenigmachanna have been discovered almost simultaneously, with a distance of over 200km separating m. Rahul G Kumar, a researcher with NBFGR who discovered species, said nearly 250 species of fish are kwn from subterranean habitats across world, with more being added to list every year. Some of se species have been discovered by explorers visiting underground caverns, but many have been accidentally discovered when wells are dug or cleaned, he said.

Researchers opined that Kerala is blessed with a variety of freshwater resources which are home to over 300 species of fish, about a third of which are endemic to region. At same time an equally varied and wonderful ecosystem exists, unrecognised and out of sight, in extensive water bodies that lie below ground, y said. In India, Kerala is an undisputed hotspot of subterranean fish diversity, with nine species kwn mostly from central Kerala in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

"se subterranean fish species are characterised, for most part, by adaptations which include a small adult size, red colour due to blood vessels near skin, and reduced eyes and fins," y said.

According to Rahul, discovery of fish, as well as crustaceans and or life forms, from subterranean waters is a reminder of vast diversity of life which still remains to be discovered, studied and understood.

" presence of fish and crustaceans in groundwater is usually an indicator of good water quality which can sustain life and residents have thing to worry about over discovery of se animals in ir household wells," he said.

READ: Massive Flock Of 'disciplined' Ducks Brings Traffic To A Complete Halt In Kerala's Alappuzha

He said in fact given rarity of specimens, people were encourd to inform researchers when y encounter such life forms, as very little is kwn about ecology and biology of subterranean waters and every little piece of information is useful.

"Groundwater resources across world are being fast depleted, both by extraction and by pollution, and it is imperative that we implement measures to study and conserve se resources, both for use of future generations and for sake of life that exists re," Rahul added.