Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have made an exciting discovery in Digha Mohana, West Bengal, finding a new species of deep-water marine fish named Pterygotrigla intermedica. This fish, commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, belongs to the Triglidae family. It’s the fourth species of the Pterygotrigla genus reported in India and adds to the 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide. Notably, the newly discovered fish exhibits distinctive features, including a unique pectoral fin, snout length, cleithral spine size, and distinct coloration. This discovery underscores ZSI’s mission to explore, study, and conserve India’s diverse faunal species.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Triglidae Family: Triglidae is a family of bottom-dwelling, benthic fish commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins. They are characterized by their distinctive pectoral fins and are found in various marine habitats.
- Cleithral Spine: The cleithral spine is a bony projection found in some fish species. In the case of Pterygotrigla intermedica, it has a notably short cleithral spine, which is one of the distinguishing features of this newly discovered species.
- Lateral Line: The lateral line is a sensory organ found in fish, used to detect movement and vibrations in the water. It plays a crucial role in a fish’s ability to navigate and locate prey or predators.
- Gill Rakers: Gill rakers are comb-like structures found in a fish’s gills that help filter out debris and food particles from the water as it passes over the gills. The number and shape of gill rakers can vary among fish species.
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI): Established in 1916, ZSI is India’s premier organization dedicated to zoological research and studies. It operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and is responsible for exploring, surveying, and monitoring India’s diverse faunal diversity while also maintaining databases on recorded species and their conservation status.