Scientists have reported a new fish species and
rediscovered a rare tree, turning the spotlight on the rich, unexplored
biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
While the new
species of freshwater fish was reported from the Kabani river in
Wayanad, Kerala, by a researcher, the rare tree was rediscovered from
the Muthikulam High Value Biodiversity Area by a team of scientists from
the Centre for Medicinal Plants Research (CMPR), Arya Vaidyasala,
Kottakkal, and the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur.
Named Pristolepis pentacantha,
the new fish species was discovered by Mathews Plamoottil, Assistant
Professor in Zoology at the Government College, Chavara, Kollam, from
Bavali, near the Karnataka border, in January 2012. Based on scientific
studies and comparison with other fishes of the same species found in
Kerala, it was found that Pristolepis pentacantha was a new species.
Known as Aattuchemballi in local parlance, fish of the Pristoledipae family are edible. They can also be reared as an ornamental fish.
The name pentacantha is derived from two Greek words, pente meaning five and akantha
meaning thorn, referring to the five spines in the anal fin of the
fish. While the body is grayish green, the dorsal fin is reddish orange
in colour. The findings have been published in the International Journal of Scientific Research.
The tree Gnidia glauca var. sisparensi, was
rediscovered after a gap of 148 years by a team led by K.M.
Prabhukumar, CMPR, and V.B. Sreekumar, KFRI. Known as Nanju in
Malayalam, the common variety of the genus Gnidia glauca var. glauca
is considered a powerful vesicant (producing severe blisters) and hence
used as fish poison. The stem, leaf and flowers also possess
anti-diabetic properties.
The tree is found only in upper grassland areas above 2,000 m. It produces yellow flowers from September to December.
The
team could observe only three plants of the tree during field studies.
This, according to Mr. Prabhukumar, makes it eligible to be classified
as a critically endangered species. The finding has been published in
the Webbia Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography.
The two discoveries are expected to give a fillip to conservation efforts in the Western Ghats.
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