Pethia striata, a new species of fish discovered in Western Ghats

A new species of fish called Pethia striata was discovered by ecologists in Tunga River in the Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka.
This finding was published in the journal- American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists by researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
Key characteristics of Pethia striata

• The fish is native to Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. It is generally found in two streams of Mudba and Turad of Tunga River.
• The discovery of species is addition to the largest fish family which is scientifically called as Cyprinidae that includes goldfish, common carp and zebrafish.
• It has have distinct characteristic pattern of scales which form oblique bars and the black blotch just before the tail.
• The male of the Pethia striata species is red in colour and measures 3-4cm in length, while the female is grey with a striking pattern of scales. They are usually are found in small groups of 3-4 individuals in shallow pools.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015