Researchers discover new fish species in M’laya, name it after War-Jaintias

SHILLONG, Nov 24: A new freshwater fish species has been discovered in Lakroh village, located in the West Jaintia Hills. Named Oreichthys warjaintia, the species honours the War-Jaintias, the local tribal community.
The discovery was a collaborative effort by researchers from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, and the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi NCR.
The research team, which was led by Lekiningroy Dann, a Meghalayan PhD scholar at KUFOS, identified the species in the Pyrngang stream near Lakroh village.
Originating from the hills of Amlanai village near the international border, the Pyrngang stream flows into Bangladesh, eventually merging with the Boro Gang River, a tributary of the Surma-Meghna system.
The discovery has been published in the Journal of Fish Biology, a prestigious journal in fish and fisheries science.
The newly identified fish is notable for its distinct features, including a complete lateral line with 25-27 pored scales, a deep body and a striking color pattern.
Speaking on the discovery of the new fish species, Dann highlighted the data-deficient state of freshwater fish diversity in Meghalaya.
The scientific paper, announcing this discovery, was published today in the ‘Journal of Fish Biology’, one of the world’s leading journals in the field of fish and fisheries science.
It is pertinent to note that the fish species of the Eastern Himalayas have been studied for over two centuries, yet states like Meghalaya and Nagaland remain poorly documented. Many species are yet to be discovered in the remote and less-explored areas of Northeast.
The identification of an endemic species like Oreichthys warjaintia brings much-needed attention to the conservation of Meghalaya’s lesser-known streams and rivers.