- Recently,Scientists from Zoological Survey of India have discovered two new species of freshwater fish from different parts of the country.
- The new species discovered are (a)Glyptothorax gopii and (b)Garra simbalbara ensis.
- Glyptothorax gopii is a catfish found in Mizoram’s Kaladan river.It measures 63 mm in length without caudal fin.The fish is dark brown on its dorsal surface and its ventral surface is of a yellowish-light brown.
- The fish has an axe-shaped anterior nuchal plate (bone below dorsal fin) which makes it distinct from other species of the genus Glyptothorax.
- The elliptical thoracic adhesive apparatus and plicae (folds of tissue) present on the ventral surfaces of the pectoral-fin spine help the fish cling to rocks.
- Garra simbalbara ensis was found in Himachal Pradesh’s Simbalbara river.It measures 69 mm standard length without caudal fin and has a yellowish-grey colour fading ventrally.
- The fish takes its name from the Simbalbara river.It has a prominent unilobed and rounded proboscis with tubercles that help the fish in manoeuvrability.
