Article:
The freshwater biodiversity of Tamil Nadu has recently been enriched with the discovery of a new fish species – Puntius Sanctus. Found in a modest water body in Velankanni, this silver-hued, small-sized piscine creature has now found its place in zoo-scientific records.
The Naming and Classification of Puntius Sanctus
Puntius Sanctus was identified and christened by the Department of Zoology, BJM Government College in Kollam. The name ‘Sanctus’ translates to ‘holy’ in Latin, reflecting the spiritual significance of the town it was discovered in.
Puntius, primarily traced from the drainages of the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, as well as the Eastern Himalayas, is a genus known for its substantial species richness, especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This newly-found sanctified species also goes by different local names – ‘Paral’ in Kerala and ‘Kende’ in Tamil Nadu, belonging to the Cyprinidae family of fish.
Distinctive Characteristics of Puntius Sanctus
Unlike its other family members, Puntius Sanctus exhibits unique physical features. It grows up to the length of just 7 cm and possesses an extended mouth, a pair of maxillary barbels which are sensory organs near the snout.
It sports lateral line scales and pre-dorsal scales. Lateral line scales, embedded within the dermis or the skin of the fish, typically house sense organs. Conversely, the pre-dorsal scale row consists of deep scales without spines.
About Cyprinidae Family
The Cyprinidae family includes a wide array of freshwater fish, collectively referred to as cyprinids. This extensive family embraces minnows, goldfish, bitterlings, barbs, and carps. They range from minuscule aquarium dwellers to significantly large species.
Freshwater fish in general, including Puntius Sanctus, habitually spend their entire lives in freshwater bodies like rivers and lakes, with salinity less than 1.05%.
Zoological Registries and Puntius Sanctus
The Puntius Sanctus specimen is now kept at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) located in Pune. This new species has also been recorded with the Zoo Bank of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the definitive authority for animal nomenclature.
Zoological Survey of India and Its Role
Established in 1916, ZSI functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Renowned as a national center for faunistic survey and resource exploration, it focuses on expanding knowledge regarding the country’s rich faunal diversity. Headquartered in Kolkata, ZSI operates 16 regional stations scattered across diverse geographic locations in India.
International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature and Its Significance
The ICZN regulates a standardized system of zoological nomenclature, ensuring universally accepted unique scientific names for each animal. In addition to creating the nomenclature, IOCZN periodically revises the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The commission operates from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, based in the National University of Singapore.
