Gangaichthys indonepalicus

UPSC Reference Category: GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology | Biodiversity | New Species | Groundwater Ecosystems

What is it?

A newly described miniature subterranean fish.

Discovery

  • Bihar
  • Indo-Gangetic Plain
  • Alluvial aquifers
  • Specimens collected from borewells.

Scientific Classification

  • Genus → Gangaichthys
  • Species → G. indonepalicus
  • Family → Chaudhuriidae
  • Order → Synbranchiformes.

Special Adaptations

Because it is stygobitic—adapted to subterranean aquatic environments—it has:

  • Reduced eyes
  • Complete absence of body pigmentation
  • Specialised skeletal characteristics.

It is reported as the first subterranean fish from the alluvial aquifers of the Gangetic Basin/Indo-Gangetic Plain and the first stygobitic member of Chaudhuriidae.

Key Pointer

Gangaichthys → Bihar → Indo-Gangetic aquifer → subterranean fish → reduced eyes/no pigmentation