Researchers Discover Two New Goby Fish Species in Andhra Pradesh.
Environment
In January 2025, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two previously unrecorded goby fish species, 'Hemigobius hoevenii' and 'Mugilogobius tigrinus,' at the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh (AP). This marks the first instance of Mugilogobius tigrinus being recorded along India's eastern coastline.
- Both species belong to the "gobies" group of fish, which are commonly found in estuarine areas, particularly around mangroves.
- Gobies are small, carnivorous, bottom-dwelling fish found globally, with a higher prevalence in tropical regions.
- Gobies play a vital role in the ecosystem, acting as indicators of environmental health and occupying various levels within the food chain.
Main Point :- (i) Out of 135 goby species found along India's coasts, 95 are recorded in mangroves, with 53 species specifically documented in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
(ii) This discovery underlines the rich biodiversity of mangrove ecosystems and their ecological significance.
Chief minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu
Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
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