Schistura densiclava: Meghalaya’s New Cave-Dwelling Fish Ecological Significance and Conservation Status
Why is Shistura Deniclava in the news?
A new species of Cave-Dwelling loach, named Schistura densiclava, has been discovered from the KremMawjymbuin cave in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
Background
- Species information: The Shistura Dansiclava family belongs to Namecheyidae, a group of freshwater crayfish living at the bottom of the streams.
- Housing: At 18 ° C with low oxygen, a cool, fast liquid subtrain current was found inside the cave, about 60 meters inside the cave.
- Physical functions: a thick deep bandage near the yellow – yellow body and back springs with vertical black colors (hence the name “Deniclava” which means “thick strip”). Sexual duality is observed, with different body and tag patterns in men and women.
- Endemism: This species is spatially for a single cave system, which makes it vulnerable to environmental changes.
Challenges
- Housing specificity and vulnerability: Being limited to a cave system means that species are exposed to housing disorders, pollution or climate change effects.
- Low oxygen environment: Adaptation for low oxygen water fish makes it unsafe for changes in water quality.Lack of consciousness: Cave ecosystems are often minor studies and are not known, which reduces neglect of care in the conservation efforts.Human effects: mines, tourism and pollution in Meghalaya threatened the delicate cave ecosystem.
The way forward
- Protection and conservation: NEP cave and the surrounding area as a protected habitat to prevent the decline of the habitat.
- Further research: conduct organic and genetic studies to understand the size, reproduction and adaptability of the nature of species.
- Environmental monitoring: Monitor water quality and cave status regularly to detect and prevent organic dangers.
- Awareness and community engagement: Education of local communities and stakeholders, which is about the importance of preserving subterranean biodiversity.
- Sustainable tourism: Regulation of cave tourism to reduce disorders and environmental effects.
Conclusion on Schistura densiclava:
The discovery of Schistura densiclava in Meghalaya’s Krem Mawjymbuin cave highlights the rich and unique biodiversity of underground ecosystems. This fish’s ability to live in low-light, low-oxygen cave environments while retaining pigmentation and eyesight makes it special among cave species.
PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION
Question: Why is Schistura densiclava in the news?
A) It is a newly discovered cave-dwelling fish species
B) It is used in medicines
C) It is found in the ocean
D) It is the largest freshwater fish in India
Answer: A
