Kochi researchers fish out a new ‘Mahabali’

Kochi

: Researchers have discovered yet another subterranean snakehead species from the state.

The newly discovered fish, a cousin of ‘varaal’ and ‘cher meen’, is characterized by a lengthy body, small size, a large mouth, and most remarkably, elongated and filamentous rays of the pectoral fin. These extensions may be sensory in nature and used by the

fish

to find its way in the dark by touch.

Researchers at the Peninsular and Marine Fish Genetic Resources Centre of National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Kochi, have described the species as

Aenigmachanna Mahabali

.

The fish was collected by Arun Vishwanath, a native of Thiruvalla, from the well in his house in April 2018.

The discovery of this species comes on the heels of Aenigmachanna gollum, found earlier this year from Malappuram. The two species of Aenigmachanna have been discovered with a distance of over 200km separating them.

Rahul G Kumar, a researcher with the NBFGR who discovered the species, said nearly 250 species of fish are known from subterranean habitats across the world, with more being added to the list every year.

Researchers opined that Kerala is blessed with over 300 species of fresh water fish, a third of which are endemic, an equally varied and wonderful ecosystem exists, unrecognized and out of sight, in the extensive water bodies that lie below the ground. In India, Kerala is an undisputed hotspot of subterranean fish diversity, with nine species known mostly from central Kerala in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

According to Lumar, the discovery of fish is an indicator of good water quality which can sustain life and residents have nothing to worry about over the discovery of these animals in their household wells.

“It is imperative that we implement measures to study and conserve these resources, both for the use of future generations and for the sake of the life that exists there,” he said.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.