Schizopygopsis waddellii: Tibetan Fish Found in Arunachal
Why in the news
Researchers from ICAR-CIFRI (Coldwater) and the Arunachal Pradesh Department of Fisheries documented a Tibetan fish species in Indian waters for the first time.
Key facts
- Species: Schizopygopsis waddellii, a freshwater fish suited to cold water, in the Cyprinidae family (snowtrout or schizothoracine group).
- Confirmed as a new Indian record by an integrative taxonomic approach: morphology plus mtDNA analysis.
- Indian site: Pangkang Teng Tso Lake (12,800 feet) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.
- Its range now stretches into the Eastern Himalaya.
Habitat and distribution
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Natural home | Cold, high-altitude waters on Tibetan and Chinese plateaus |
| Type locality | Yamdok Lake, Tibet |
| New Indian record | Pangkang Teng Tso Lake, Tawang |
Exam angle
- Institute involved: ICAR-CIFRI Coldwater.
- Family: Cyprinidae; type locality: Yamdok Lake.
- State of record: Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang).