A team of scientists has identified a new species of loach, a freshwater bottom-dwelling fish, in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district near the Bangladesh border. This discovery, named Schistura sonarengaensis, was made in the Sonarenga, Nakama, and Chiabol caves.
Schistura sonarengaensis is distinguished by its prominent eyes and 13-26 vertically elongated to circular black blotches on a grayish-black mid-lateral stripe, over a dull white or pale-beige body. Despite lacking the typical adaptations for subterranean life, such as complete loss of eyes or pigmentation, this species shows reduced pigmentation compared to its surface-dwelling relatives.
Genetic molecular analysis has confirmed the distinction of this new species from other known species in the region. While these cave-dwelling fish are somewhat pale, they are not blind like other cave species found in the Jaintia and Khasi Hills. The new species retains prominent eyes and is distinct from other Schistura species in the Barak-Surma-Meghna and adjacent river drainages of northeast India, except for Schistura syngkai.
Source: Telangana Today
