Neolissochilus pnar grows to over 400 mm (1.3 feet) and occurs only in the limestone caves of Meghalaya, a state in northeastern India.
The newly-discovered species belongs to Neolissochilus, a genus of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae (commonly called the carp or minnow family).
Members of this genus are native to freshwater habitats in Asia and are often grouped with the mahseers.
“The genus Neolissochilus represents a poorly-known group of medium- to large-sized cyprinids, with currently 31 species, distributed across South and Southeast Asia,” said Dr. Neelesh Dahanukar, a researcher with the School of Natural Sciences at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, and colleagues.
“Despite its cultural and commercial importance, there have been no comprehensive studies on the taxonomy or systematics of this group since the description of the genus.”
“As a result, the identity and distribution of the majority of Neolissochilus species remains unclear.”
The new species possesses a number of characters unique among Neolissochilus species, with the exception of the similarly subterranean Neolissochilus subterraneus from Thailand.
Scientifically named Neolissochilus pnar, it completely lacks pigmentation, has long maxillary barbels, highly reduced eyes, long pectoral-fin rays, and scalation pattern.
In addition, the species is also genetically and morphologically distinct from its close congeners.
“Stories of a ‘white cavefish’ from the Siju Caves in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, Northeast India have been documented for 100 years, but were suggested to be slightly decolorized specimens of Neolissochilus hexastichus that appeared almost white when observed inside the water, under the light of a torch,” the researchers explained.
“Only in the 1990s, a large, pale, cyprinid fish was observed in the limestone caves of the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, individuals of which were eventually photographed and collected in 2019, and made…
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