Labeo uru and Labeo chekida
( UPSC Prelims)
News Context
The ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) has identified two new species of fish.
● Labeo uru: This species is named after a traditional wooden dhow due to its sail-like elongated fins. It is found in the Chandragiri River, a west-flowing interstate river that originates from the Pattimala hills in Kodagu, Karnataka.
● Labeo chekida: Known locally as 'kaka chekida', this small, dark-bodied fish inhabits the Chalakkudy river, which is formed by the confluence of five streams originating in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats.
Both species are freshwater fish and are endemic to their respective river systems, underscoring the Western Ghats' significance as a biodiversity hotspot.