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India Today
07-07-2025
- Science
- India Today
New fish species discovered in Brahmaputra named after Assam's Dibrugarh
In a remarkable discovery from India's northeast, researchers have identified a new species of freshwater fish in the Brahmaputra River near Dibrugarh, species, named Pethia dibrugarhensis, belongs to the cyprinid family, which includes carps and minnows — some of the most diverse freshwater fish in the discovery was made during an ongoing survey of aquatic biodiversity in the Brahmaputra basin. Scientists say the fish is distinct from its relatives in several important One of its most unique features is an incomplete lateral line, a sensory organ that helps fish detect movement and vibrations in the water. It also has a black spot near the tail, which stretches slightly upward and downward along the distinguishing features include the presence of 10 scales around the tail area, and specific scale patterns on the body — including 4 rows of scales between the dorsal fin and the lateral line, and 4 rows between the lateral line and the pelvic fish also lacks barbels, the whisker-like structures near the mouth found in many other species, and shows no humeral mark, which is a dark spot near the shoulder area common in other related discovery adds to the growing list of unique species found in the biodiverse waters of Assam and northeastern India, which are home to many endemic freshwater researchers behind the study say this new species highlights the ecological richness of the Brahmaputra River system and the urgent need to conserve say that detailed scientific studies like these help us better understand freshwater ecosystems and protect lesser-known species from threats such as habitat destruction and India continues to explore and catalogue its rich aquatic life, discoveries like Pethia dibrugarhensis remind us of how much there still is to learn — and protect — beneath the surface of our rivers.- Ends
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
New fish species found in Brahmaputra named after Dibrugarh
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: A team of scientists has discovered a new species of cyprinid fish in the Brahmaputra river at Maijan in Dibrugarh, further enriching the ichthyofaunal diversity of northeast's river systems. The species has been named 'Pethia dibrugarhensis', after its type locality. The discovery was made during a freshwater faunal survey of the Brahmaputra river, conducted by researchers from ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), regional centre, Guwahati; ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; and Manipur University. The findings were recently published in the peer-reviewed international journal "National Academy Science Letters by Springer Nature". "This discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity that still remains to be explored in the Brahmaputra basin. Each new species we identify helps us better understand the complex aquatic ecosystems of northeast. Systematic surveys like this one are essential for documenting and protecting these species before they face threats from environmental changes," said Basanta Kumar Das, director of ICAR-CIFRI, who led the research. The research team included Niti Sharma and Simanku Borah from ICAR-CIFRI regional centre, Guwahati, in collaboration with freshwater taxonomist W Vishwanath and Pethia specialist M Dishma from Manipur University. Belonging to the family Cyprinidae, Pethia dibrugarhensis is classified as a barb. The species was found in moderately fast-running water with a substrate of mud, sand, and stones. It coexists with various small indigenous fish species native to the region. "The distinguishing features of this new species make it quite unique among its congeners. We identified it based on a combination of morphological traits including an incomplete lateral line, a prominent black blotch extending to both dorsal and ventral sides of the caudal peduncle, and the absence of humeral marks and barbels," Das added.
