Now Reading: New catfish species discovered in Nagaland’s Likimro river
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New catfish species discovered in Nagaland’s Likimro river
Researchers have described a new catfish species, Pseudecheneis likimroensis, from Nagaland’s fast-flowing Likimro river. The paper was published in the Journal of Ichthyology, with the species named after the river where about…
The Story in Brief
Researchers have described a new catfish species, Pseudecheneis likimroensis, from Nagaland’s fast-flowing Likimro river. The paper was published in the Journal of Ichthyology, with the species named after the river where about five specimens were collected in October 2024. The survey site lies in Kiphire district at an elevation of 446 metres.
The fish has a flattened body and adhesive structures that help it cling to rocks in torrential water. It feeds on insects, larvae and other organisms attached to rocks. The Likimro is part of the Tizu-Chindwin river system, which flows into Myanmar and belongs to the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot. The largest recorded specimen measured about 13.19 cm.
The Indian Opinion
Claims that every new species discovery proves an untouched wilderness, or that one find alone establishes a conservation emergency, both stretch the evidence. This discovery does show how little fieldwork has covered remote streams in Nagaland, and why local knowledge and access matter. The harder test is whether surveys find more endemic fish and whether the Likimro’s water quality and rocky habitat remain intact over time.
Source: india.mongabay.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
