| Neolissochilus pnar | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Neolissochilus |
| Species: | N. pnar |
| Binomial name | |
| Neolissochilus pnar | |
Neolissochilus pnar is a species of subterranean cyprinid in the genus Neolissochilus . It is the largest known subterranean fish, a title formerly held by the blind cave eel. [1]
N. pnar was first observed in the 1990s, and only collected and photographed for study in 2019. [2] However stories of 'white cavefish' within the Siju Caves in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya have been documented for a century and suggested to be slightly decolorized specimens of Neolissochilus hexastichus which appeared white when seen in water under torch light. [1] It was tentatively identified as a troglobitic form of golden mahseer, but more detailed analyses have found it to belong in the genus Neolissochilus . [2]
The specific name pnar honors the sub-tribal group of the Khasi people in the state of Meghalaya of the same name. [1]
The holotype specimen of N. pnar is 329.2 mm long, & the largest individual sighted in its natural cave habitat exceeded 400 mm in standard length, making this species the largest known subterranean fish. The head of this fish is large, accounting for a bit over a quarter of its length, and has two pairs of barbels. All fins of N. pnar are hyaline and translucent. This species is white or pinkish in color, with no melanophore pigmentation. The eye size in this species reduces as overall body size increases: in the largest individuals they are not discernable without very close inspection, whilst the eyes of smaller juveniles are clearly visible large dark spots under the skin surface. N. pnar has continuous lateral lines with 28–31 perforated scales, as well as an additional 1–2 on the caudal fin base. [1] [2]
N. pnar has been collected from the Krem Um Ladaw and the adjacent Krem Chympe caves in Meghalaya, Northeast India, which drain into the Meghna River System. The entrance to the Krem Um Ladaw cave lies in a seasonally dry stream bed within a forest, and the cave floor is rocky with several pools of standing water. Forest vegetation make up part of the debris along the floor, indicating the cave is seasonally flooded, & this seasonal flood debris may provide the main food source for the fish. No major bat roosts or bat guano deposits are present in Krem Um Ladaw, but there are various invertebrates including brown crickets ( Eutachycines sp.), cellar spiders (Pholcidae), fungus gnat larvae (Keroplatidae), isopods such as Cubaris sp. and Philoscia sp., shrimp ( Macrobrachium cf. cavernicola), snails ( Paludomus sp.), pond skaters (Gerridae), and a few tadpoles. [1]
In the Krem Chympe cave, N. pnar occurs in pools in a side passage alongside fish ( Garra sp.), shrimps ( Macrobrachium sp.), and tadpoles. [1]
Tor is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Cyprinidae, the family which includes the carps, barbs and related fishes. The fishes in this genus, and some related genera, are commonly known as mahseers. These fishes are found in Asia.
Mahseer is the common name used for the genera Tor, Neolissochilus, Naziritor and Parator in the family Cyprinidae (carps). The name is, however, more often restricted to members of the genus Tor. The range of these fish is from Vietnam in the east and China in the north, through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, and across southern Asia including the countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh within the Indian Peninsula, plus Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. They are commercially important game fish, as well as highly esteemed food fish. Mahseer fetch high market price, and are potential candidate species for aquaculture. Several of the larger species have suffered severe declines, and are now considered threatened due to pollution, habitat loss, overfishing and increasing concern about the impacts of unregulated release of artificially bred stock of a very limited number of species.
Pangio is a genus of small Asian freshwater fish in the true loach family Cobitidae. In earlier taxonomic schemes it was known as Acanthophthalmus. The "kuhli loach" is well-known in the aquarium trade and commonly identified as P. kuhlii, but most individuals actually appear to be P. semicincta.
Neolissochilus is a genus of fish in the family Cyprinidae native to freshwater habitats in Asia that are often grouped with the mahseers. The largest reach up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in length, but most species are much smaller.
Cave research, encompassing the study of speleology and biospeleology, is still in its infancy in India. Although there are thousands of caves in India, research expeditions occur in few states. The Siju Cave in Meghalaya is the first limelighted natural cave from India. Several studies were carried out in this cave in the early 20th century. The Kotumsar Cave in Central India is one of the most explored caves of India, and biologists have classified many types of cavernicoles, i.e. trogloxenes, troglophiles and troglobites, from this cave.
Tor putitora, the Golden Mahseer, Putitor mahseer, or Himalayan mahseer, is an endangered species of cyprinid fish that is found in rapid streams, riverine pools, and lakes in the Himalayan region. Its native range is within the basins of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. It was reported to be found in the Salween river, the natural border between Thailand and Myanmar as well, but the number is very rare, only three times in 28 years.
Cavefish or cave fish is a generic term for fresh and brackish water fish adapted to life in caves and other underground habitats. Related terms are subterranean fish, troglomorphic fish, troglobitic fish, stygobitic fish, phreatic fish, and hypogean fish.
Barbodes bovanicus, the Bowany barb, is a species of cyprinid fish native to the Cauvery River system in India. Its range is presently restricted to a single reservoir behind the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. This species can reach a length of 36 centimetres (14 in) TL.
Neolissochilus wynaadensis, the Wayanad mahseer, is a species of cyprinid fish. It is endemic to the Wyanad Plateau and its surroundings in the southern Western Ghats, India. It occurs in fast-flowing rivers and streams with rock substrates. This species can reach a length of 50 centimetres (20 in) TL. It is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries.
Kryptoglanis shajii is a species of subterranean catfish found in subsurface waters in the Western Ghats in Kerala, India. This cavefish grows to a length of 5.9 centimetres (2.3 in) SL. It is currently the only known member of its genus and family. Although first discovered from underground waters, it has also been seen in dense vegetation in paddy fields and was found to be common in this habitat in the Chalakudy. The species strongly avoids light and feeds on small invertebrates.
Tor tor, commonly known as the tor mahseer or tor barb, is a species of cyprinid fish found in fast-flowing rivers and streams with rocky bottoms in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is a commercially important food and game fish.
Tor sinensis, the Chinese or Red mahseer is a species of mahseer native to the Mekong River. It is known with certainty only from Yunnan, China; reports from Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand require confirmation.
It is one of four currently valid species described from China, the others being Tor laterivittatus, Tor polylepis, and Tor yingjiangensis.
The humpback mahseer is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish from the Indian endemic genus Hypselobarbus in the carp and minnow family Cyprinidae.
Tor remadevii, the orange-finned mahseer, also known as the hump-backed mahseer, is a Critically Endangered species of freshwater fish endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is restricted to the Kaveri river basin.
Aenigmachanna gollum, the Gollum snakehead, is a species of aquifer-dwelling dragon snakehead fish that is endemic to the Indian state of Kerala.
Aenigmachanna is a genus of ray-finned fish in the order Ananbantiformes. It is the only genus in the family Aenigmachannidae, or dragon snakeheads. It contains two species, both of which are largely restricted to subterranean habitats in southwestern India, namely in the Western Ghats foothills in the state of Kerala.
Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, the copper mahseer, chocolate mahseer or katli, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, the family which includes the carps, barbs and related fishes. This species is found in Nepal, eastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Sumatra. It may also be present in China and Viet Nam, also the record sof this species from the easyetn part of its range is uncertain and reports may be misidentifications.
Tor malabaricus, the Malabar mahseer, is a fish, a species of mahseer native to southwestern India.
Waikhomia hira is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the belonging to the family Cyprinidae. the family which includes the carps, barbs and related fishes. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
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