Exostoma Dhritiae : New Catfish Species
A new catfish species named ‘Exostoma Dhritiae’ was recently discovered by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Exostoma Dhritiae is a new species of catfish of the genus Exostoma.
- It is a small fish locally called ‘Ngorang’ by local tribals.
- The new species has been named ‘Exostoma Dhritiae’ after Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman director of the ZSI.
- It was found in Siking stream, a tributary of the Siang River in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Catfish represent one of the largest groups of freshwater fishes, with more than 2000 species.
- Most catfish are found in freshwater but a few are marine.
- Most species of catfish are nocturnal.
- Catfish are primarily benthic or bottom-dwellers.
