Schistura densiclava Latest News
A new species of cave-dwelling loach, named Schistura densiclava, has been discovered from the Krem Mawjymbuin cave in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
About Schistura densiclava
- Schistura densiclava belongs to the family Nemacheilidae, a group of bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes known for adapting to benthic stream habitats.
- It is classified as a troglophile species, meaning it is adapted to live in cave environments but can also survive in surface (epigean) waters.
- Unlike most cave-dwelling species that lose pigmentation and eyesight, S. densiclavaretains both pigment and functional eyes, allowing it to adapt across environments.
Habitat Characteristics
- The fish was found in a cool, fast-flowing stream about 60 meters inside the Krem Mawjymbuin cave, where the temperature was 18°C and oxygen levels were low.
- The cave’s total surveyed length is approximately 1.6 km, and it is located at an altitude of 206 meters.
- The fish’s habitat is subterranean, indicating specialized adaptations to low-light and low-oxygen environments.
Morphological Features
- The body is pale yellow-green with 14–20 greyish black or faint black vertical bars.
- A thick dark stripe near the dorsal fin inspired the name “densiclava“, which translates to “thick stripe” in Latin.
- Sexual dimorphism is noted:
- Males are slimmer, with irregular patterns and puffier cheeks.
- Females are sturdier, with more consistent markings.
Endemism and Conservation Insight
- Genetic testing confirmed that Schistura densiclava is a distinct, previously unrecorded species.
- Its distribution is restricted to a single cave, indicating a high degree of endemism.
- It becomes Meghalaya’s sixth known cave-dwelling fish species, highlighting the state’s rich subterranean biodiversity.
Schistura densiclava FAQs
Q1: What is Schistura densiclava?
Ans:Schistura densiclava is a newly recorded species of freshwater stone loach fish found in the rivers of Meghalaya.
Q2: Where was Schistura densiclava recently identified?
Ans: It was recently recorded in the Mawjymbuin cave in the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya.
Q3: Which family does Schistura densiclava belong to?
Ans: It belongs to the family Nemacheilidae, commonly known as stone loaches.
Source: TH
Last updated on June, 2025
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