The world of science is always full of surprises and discoveries, and one such discovery that has caught the attention of many researchers and scientists is the discovery of the largest known cavefish in the world, Neolissochilus pnar. This species was discovered in 2019 in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India and is named after the indigenous Pnar community. This new species of fish has been found in two caves, Krem Um Ladaw and Krem Chympe, and is believed to be fed by the seasonal flood debris carried from the surrounding forest.
Neolissochilus pnar is an unusual species of fish and is unique in many ways. It is known for its reduction or absence of eye size, lack of pigmentation, and other morphological adaptations that are commonly found in cave-dwelling fish species. The absence of eye size and pigmentation is due to the absence of light in the caves where it lives, making these adaptations necessary for survival.
The discovery of Neolissochilus
The discovery of Neolissochilus pnar was initially thought to be a troglomorphic form of the golden mahseer. However, further analysis and research revealed that it is a new species of the Neolissochilus genus. The species was scientifically described in 2020 by a team of researchers from India and the UK. The discovery of Neolissochilus pnar is a significant contribution to the knowledge of the biodiversity of cave-dwelling fishes in the world and sheds light on the evolution of species in the absence of light.
The discovery of Neolissochilus pnar has attracted the attention of many researchers and scientists, who are now studying this species in detail to understand its adaptations, habitat, and behavior. Researchers are interested in understanding how this species has evolved and what changes it has undergone to survive in the cave environment. The study of this species could provide valuable insights into the evolution of cave-dwelling species and the adaptations necessary for survival in the absence of light.
