ITANAGAR: Researches of National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), the apex institute for fish genetic resources, has discovered a new catfish species thriving in the untainted waters of Arunachal Pradesh.
Named Glyptothorax punyabratai, this newfound species was found in the Tung Stream, a tributary coursing through the Brahmaputra River basin.
The new species, accurately detailed in the scientific journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, now finds its identity preserved at the National Fish Museum-cum-Repository of ICAR-NBFGR in Lucknow.
The species has been named after Dr. Punyabarata Das, the founder director of ICAR-NBFGR, commemorating his indelible footprint in fisheries research.
Dr. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, Director of ICAR-NBFGR, underscored the institute’s unwavering commitment to exploratory endeavours in remote and underexplored regions, with a keen eye on the Northeast.
Sarkar also highlighted the potential of Arunachal Pradesh as a treasure trove for discovering novel species, underscoring the need for its conservation.
This is not the first time a new species of catfish has been discovered in the waters of Arunachal Pradesh.
A year ago, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had unearthed another catfish species from the Siking stream nestled in the Upper Siang district of the state.
Christened “ExostomaDhritiae” in honour of Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the pioneering woman director of ZSI, this freshwater marvel adds another layer to the state’s rich tapestry of flora and fauna.
The fish ExostomaDhritiae, also called “Ngorang” by locals in the Adi dialect, thrives in the pure waters of the Siking stream. It showcases the delicate balance between conservation and exploration, representing Arunachal Pradesh’s natural beauty.
