A new species of catfish has been discovered in Kerala’s Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. Horaglanis populi is a tiny, blood-red catfish that has been found in the lateritic aquifer systems. It belongs to the Horaglanis genus and is one of the four endemic species found in the state of Kerala. The discovery of this new species is significant, as it highlights the rich biodiversity of the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
Description of Horaglanis populi
Horaglanis populi is a small, blind catfish that measures less than 3.2 cm in length. It has four pairs of well-developed barbels and a distinctive blood-red body. The species lacks pigments and is highly adapted to living in the dark and murky groundwater aquifers.
The discovery of Horaglanis populi
The discovery of Horaglanis populi was made by a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The researchers were exploring the lateritic aquifer systems in Kerala’s Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts when they stumbled upon this new species.
Threats to Horaglanis populi
Horaglanis populi is highly vulnerable to extinction due to its small range, specialized habitat requirements, and low reproductive potential. The species faces several threats, including groundwater extraction, mining of laterite rock layers, and pollution. The destruction of the species’ habitat could have far-reaching consequences for the region’s aquatic ecosystems.
Conservation of Horaglanis populi
The discovery of Horaglanis populi highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect the species and its habitat. The researchers have suggested several measures to safeguard the species, including habitat restoration, groundwater recharge, and sustainable water management practices.