Itanagar: Researchers of the Rajiv Gandhi University here have recently discovered five new fish species in various districts of the state.
The scientific names of the newly-discovered fish species are Mystus prabini, found in Sinkin and Dibang rivers in Lower Dibang Valley district and Exostoma kottelati, found in Ranga river in Lower Subansiri district, a release by the university said.
Other discovered species are Creteuchiloglanis tawangensis, found in the Tawangchu river in Tawang district, Garra ranganensis, found in Ranga river and Physoschistura harkishorei, found in Dibang and Lohit rivers in Lower Dibang Valley district, it said.
The team was led by Prof D N Das of the fisheries and aquatic ecology research wing of the Zoology department of the university.
“Majority of the water bodies in remote areas of the state are still not easily accessible to the researchers due to a difficult terrain that includes rain forests, steep hills besides communication problems,” Das said.
He, however, said his research team is optimistic that meticulous exploration may result in more discoveries of new fish species from the state in the future.
PTI
