BHUBANESWAR: In a significant discovery, Researchers from Central University of Odisha (CUO) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a rare freshwater fish in Koraput district.
One of the major tributaries of the Godavari, the Kolab River, is yet to be consumed by species of cyprinid fish. After careful examination of fishes of the genus Garra and other fishes,Researchers from CUO and ZSI, Kolkata identified the species and named it as ‘Garra laishrami’.
The species was named after Dr Laishram Kosyin of ZSI to honor his remarkable contribution to understanding the taxonomy of Indian freshwater fishes.The findings of the study by Supriya Surchita, Research Fellow in Ichthyological Survey under the supervision of Dean in School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources at CUO Professor Sharat Kumar Palita, have been recently mentioned in the International Taxonomy Journal ‘Ichthyological Exploration of’. Sweet water’.
Giving more details, Prof Palita said that fishes of the genus Garra are characterized by the presence of a gular disc developed from the tissues of the gular region, which exhibits variation in the size, shape and arrangement of the snout tubercles.
These groups of fish are generally distributed from Borneo, southern China and southern Asia to Middle East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa to West Africa.
However, the Garra Laishrami has been found so far only in Kolab river. The maximum length of the fish is 76 mm to 95.5 mm. The species is edible and local people consume it. Besides, the fish is usually found under rocks, stones and boulders of torrential streams and rivers, he said.
More research is required to know the biological importance and livelihood impact of the species. “This research is an outstanding contribution to the field of science especially biodiversity. The findings of the research confirms the biodiversity richness of Koraput as well as Kolab river,” TNIE quoted CUO vice chancellor Prof Chakradhar Tripathy as saying.
