Dibrugarh, July 5: In a breakthrough that highlights the hidden biodiversity of the Brahmaputra River, researchers from ICAR-CIFRI and Manipur University have identified a brand-new species of barb—the diminutive freshwater fish from Dibrugarh.
The fish has been identified as Pethia dibrugarhensis, a new species of barb in the family Cyprinidae, from the Brahmaputra River at Maijan village, Dibrugarh district, Assam. Described in National Academy Science Letters by Springer Nature, the finding adds a valuable new chapter to the rich ichthyofaunal diversity of the Brahmaputra basin.
This new species is closely related to the popular aquarium species, the Ticto barb, 𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑎 𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑜.
The species was collected during a freshwater survey led by Dr. Basanta Kumar Das (Director, ICAR‑CIFRI), along with scientists Dr. Niti Sharma and Dr. Simanku Borah of ICAR‑CIFRI’s Guwahati Regional Centre, and described in collaboration with Prof. W. Vishwanath, a veteran freshwater taxonomist, and Dr. M. Dishma, a Pethia specialist from Manipur University
Morphological analysis revealed a distinctive combination of traits: an incomplete lateral line, a bold black blotch on the caudal peduncle extending dorsally and ventrally, and the notable absence of a humeral mark and barbels. The features clearly separate it from its congeners. It was found in moderately fast-flowing stretches of the Brahmaputra with mixed mud, sand, and stone substrates. The fish species P. dibrugarhensis shares its habitat with various small indigenous fishes
This discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity that still remains to be explored in the Brahmaputra basin. Each new species we identify helps us better understand the complex aquatic ecosystems of northeast. Systematic surveys like this one are essential for documenting and protecting these species before they face threats from environmental changes,” said Basanta Kumar Das, director of ICAR-CIFRI, who led the research.
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