In a significant scientific discovery from Mokokchung district, researchers have identified two new species of freshwater fish and named them after the son and daughter of a late collaborator, fulfilling one of his final wishes.
The newly discovered species — Glyptothorax sentimereni and Oreichthys elianae — were recorded during ichthyological surveys in the district and later described in the international scientific journal Zootaxa.
The study was conducted by J. Praveenraj of the ICAR–Central Island Agricultural Research Institute and independent researcher Balaji Vijayakrishnan from Mumbai, in collaboration with the late Lt. Limaakum, an assistant professor at Fazl Ali College. Although Limaakum passed away before the research could be completed, his collaborators finalised the study and honoured his memory by naming the species after his children.
The species Glyptothorax sentimereni was discovered in the rocky stretches of the Dikhu River. It belongs to a group of torrent-dwelling catfishes adapted to fast-flowing mountain streams and possesses a specialised adhesive structure on its underside that helps it cling to rocks in strong currents.
The second species, Oreichthys elianae, was found in a tributary of the Tsurang River. Measuring just over 2.5 cm in length, the tiny fish is characterised by its bright red fins and a prominent black blotch at the base of its tail.
Researchers said the discoveries add to the known aquatic biodiversity of the Brahmaputra River Basin and highlight the ecological richness of Nagaland, which lies at the intersection of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
Praveenraj stated that naming the species after Limaakum’s children fulfilled one of his final wishes and served as a tribute to his dedication and passion for scientific research.
