Meghalaya’s New Cave-Dwelling Fish
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: HT
Context: A team of Indian zoologists discovered a new cave-dwelling fish species, Schistura densiclava, in Krem Mawjymbuin Cave, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
About Meghalaya’s New Cave-Dwelling Fish:
• What Is It?
• Schistura densiclava is a newly discovered troglophile loach, capable of living both underground (hypogean) and aboveground (epigean) environments. Belongs to the Nemacheilidae family (stone loaches).
• Schistura densiclava is a newly discovered troglophile loach, capable of living both underground (hypogean) and aboveground (epigean) environments.
• Belongs to the Nemacheilidae family (stone loaches).
• Scientific Name: Schistura densiclava
• Densiclava means “thick stripe” in Latin, referring to the bold band near its dorsal fin.
• Densiclava means “thick stripe” in Latin, referring to the bold band near its dorsal fin.
• Key Features:
• Dual Habitat Adaptation: Thrives in low-oxygen, 18°C cave waters, yet retains pigmentation and vision, unlike most cave fish. Distinct Appearance: Pale yellow-green body with 14–20 black bars. Males are slimmer with puffed cheeks, while females are broader with consistent markings. Unique Diet: Feeds on copepods, insect parts, shrimps, and bat droppings, indicating resilience in nutrient-scarce habitats. Ecological Endemism: Found exclusively inside Krem Mawjymbuin, suggesting it is endemic to this cave system. Genetic Distinction: DNA analysis confirms it is genetically separate from other Schistura species in Northeast India.
• Dual Habitat Adaptation: Thrives in low-oxygen, 18°C cave waters, yet retains pigmentation and vision, unlike most cave fish.
• Distinct Appearance: Pale yellow-green body with 14–20 black bars. Males are slimmer with puffed cheeks, while females are broader with consistent markings.
• Pale yellow-green body with 14–20 black bars.
• Males are slimmer with puffed cheeks, while females are broader with consistent markings.
• Unique Diet: Feeds on copepods, insect parts, shrimps, and bat droppings, indicating resilience in nutrient-scarce habitats.
• Ecological Endemism: Found exclusively inside Krem Mawjymbuin, suggesting it is endemic to this cave system.
• Genetic Distinction: DNA analysis confirms it is genetically separate from other Schistura species in Northeast India.
About Mawjymbuin Cave:
• Located In: Mawjymbuin Cave, also known as Krem Mawjymbuin, is situated in Mawsynram village, East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
• Key Features of the Cave:
• Natural Limestone Formation: The cave is made of calcareous sandstone and housing numerous stalagmites formed by calcium carbonate deposition. Geological Interest: Hosts unique stalagmite and stalactite formations, attracting geologists and researchers for field studies. Symper Rock: A notable dome-shaped rock with a flat top within the cave structure, known as Symper Rock.
• Natural Limestone Formation: The cave is made of calcareous sandstone and housing numerous stalagmites formed by calcium carbonate deposition.
• Geological Interest: Hosts unique stalagmite and stalactite formations, attracting geologists and researchers for field studies.
• Symper Rock: A notable dome-shaped rock with a flat top within the cave structure, known as Symper Rock.