Researchers Unravel More of Western Ghats Diversity - The Hindu

2
8/11/2014 Researchers unravel more of Western Ghats diversity - The Hindu http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/researchers-unravel-more-of-western-ghats-diversity/article6292236.ece?css=print 1/2 Special Arrangement Special Arrangement S & T » Environment Published: August 8, 2014 22:51 IST | Updated: August 8, 2014 22:51 IST Researchers unravel more of Western Ghats diversity T. Nandakumar Gnidia glauca var. sisparensi. Pristolepis pentacantha. Find new fish species, rediscover rare tree 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

description

Environment

Transcript of Researchers Unravel More of Western Ghats Diversity - The Hindu

Page 1: Researchers Unravel More of Western Ghats Diversity - The Hindu

8/11/2014 Researchers unravel more of Western Ghats diversity - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/researchers-unravel-more-of-western-ghats-diversity/article6292236.ece?css=print 1/2

Special Arrangement

Special Arrangement

S & T » Environment

Published: August 8, 2014 22:51 IST | Updated: August 8, 2014 22:51 IST

Researchers unravel more of Western Ghats diversity

T. Nandakumar

Gnidia glauca var. sisparensi.

Pristolepis pentacantha.

Find new fish species, rediscover rare tree

Scientists have reported a new fish species and rediscovered a rare tree, turning the spotlight on the rich, unexploredbiodiversity of the Western Ghats.

While the new species of freshwater fish was reported from the Kabani river in Wayanad, Kerala, by a researcher, therare tree was rediscovered from the Muthikulam High Value Biodiversity Area by a team of scientists from the Centrefor 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 inZoology at the Government College, Chavara, Kollam, from Bavali, near the Karnataka border, in January 2012. Basedon scientific studies and comparison with other fishes of the same species found in Kerala, it was found thatPristolepis 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

Page 2: Researchers Unravel More of Western Ghats Diversity - The Hindu

8/11/2014 Researchers unravel more of Western Ghats diversity - The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/researchers-unravel-more-of-western-ghats-diversity/article6292236.ece?css=print 2/2

View Comments (2)

ornamental fish.

The name pentacantha is derived from two Greek words, pente meaning five and akantha meaning thorn, referringto 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 glaucavar. glauca is considered a powerful vesicant (producing severe blisters) and hence used as fish poison. The stem, leafand 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 toDecember.

The team could observe only three plants of the tree during field studies. This, according to Mr. Prabhukumar, makesit eligible to be classified as a critically endangered species. The finding has been published in the Webbia Journal ofPlant Taxonomy and Geography.

The two discoveries are expected to give a fillip to conservation efforts in the Western Ghats.

Keywords: Western Ghats diversity, new fish species, freshwater fish, Pristolepis pentacantha

Printable version | Aug 11, 2014 2:15:07 AM | http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/researchers-unravel-more-of-western-ghats-diversity/article6292236.ece

© The Hindu