New Freshwater Fish Genus 'Koima' Discovered in Western Ghats.

Environment

In November 2024, a team of researchers discovered Koima, a new genus of freshwater fish endemic to the Western Ghats. This genus includes two known species - Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, which were previously assigned under the genus Nemacheilus.


      - The fish named Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis are now renamed as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis respectively. Both species are found in the tributaries of the Cauvery River.

      - The research was published in the leading international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.

     

Main Points:-   (i) Koima is distinguished from other genera of the Nemacheilidae family by its unique colour pattern, which includes a yellowish-brown ground colour, a single row of black spots on the lateral line, all fins hyaline, and the absence of a uniform banding pattern on the dorsal side.

      (ii) The Nemacheilidae family includes a diverse group of freshwater fish found in Asia and Europe. These species are valued as food sources for local communities and as ornamental fish.


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