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Schistura densiclava: New Cave Loach Found in Meghalaya

28 May 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYSchisturadensiclava: NewCave Loach Foundin Meghalaya28 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

A Gauhati University team described a new fish species from a cave in Meghalaya.

Key facts

  • Name: Schistura densiclava; found in Krem Mawjymbuin cave, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
  • Researchers: Kangkan Sarma and colleagues; published in the Journal of Fish Biology.
  • Family: Nemacheilidae (loaches); a troglophile, living in caves and surface streams alike.
  • Unlike typical cave fishes it keeps pigmentation and eyesight.

Appearance

  • Pale yellow-green body with 14-20 greyish-black bars and a thick stripe near the dorsal fin; densiclava is Latin for thick stripe.
  • Males are slimmer with irregular patterns and puffier cheeks; females are sturdier with consistent markings.

Habitat

  • Found 60 metres inside the cave, in a cool stream near 18°C with low oxygen.

Exam angle

  • Troglophile: can live in caves and above ground; family Nemacheilidae.

Test yourself

1. In which Indian state was the new loach Schistura densiclava discovered?

It was found in Krem Mawjymbuin cave, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.

2. A troglophile species like Schistura densiclava can live where?

Troglophiles live in underground caves and aboveground streams.

3. Which Latin meaning does the species name densiclava carry?

Densiclava means thick stripe, after the stripe near the dorsal fin.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 26 & 27 May 2025 (23 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMay 2025

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