Visakhapatnam: Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered three new hill stream loach fish species in Eastern and Western Ghats. The newly-identified species, all belonging to the genus Indoreonectes, were found in protected wildlife areas across two states – Telangana and Maharashtra.The discoveries include Indoreonectes amrabad from Amrabad Tiger Reserve in the Eastern Ghats and two species from Maharashtra’s Western Ghats – Indoreonectes kalsubai from Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary and Indoreonectes radhanagari from Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. Lead researcher Dr Shrikant Jadhav told Deccan Chronicle the fish are distinguished by their unique colour patterns, including distinctive lateral bands and spots on their heads. The genetic analysis revealed significant divergence from known species, ranging from 5.1 per cent to 19.3 per cent. He said the discoveries highlight the importance of protecting unexplored water bodies in both human-inhabited areas and protected regions of India. With the recent discoveries, the total number of known Indoreonectes species reaches eight, with six found in the Western Ghats and two in the Eastern Ghats. The genus is endemic to peninsular India and is characterised by rounded caudal fins, short lateral lines, and long nasal barbels. ZSI director Dr Dhriti Banerjee said a new Eastern Ghats Regional Centre will be established in Amravati to further explore the region’s biodiversity.
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