Butis bargabhimae : New Species Of Estuarine Fish
Scientists in West Bengal recently identified a new species of estuarine fish named Butis bargabhimae.
- Butis bargabhimae is a new species of estuarine fish.
- It was found in the Rupnarayan River (tributary of the Hooghly River) near Tamluk, West Bengal.
- It belongs to the butid family, a group of fish commonly known as gudgeon goby that typically live in the brackish waters where rivers meet the sea.
- While most of its cousins have smooth areas around their eyes, this new fish features unique scales between its eyes (known as interorbital scales) and additional auxiliary scales across its body.
- It also sports distinctive light and dark bands on its pectoral fins, which are missing in similar species.
- The species name, bargabhimae, is a tribute to the Hindu deity Bargabhima, a significant cultural and religious figure in the Tamluk area of West Bengal.
