Scientists have identified a previously unknown fish species in the Zayul River of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, marking a significant breakthrough in Himalayan biodiversity research. The discovery, announced this week by the Institute of Plateau Biology, offers fresh insights into the evolutionary history of freshwater ecosystems along the Himalayan margin.
Named Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov., the glyptosternine catfish features distinctive physical characteristics including an enlarged lower lip with unique wart-like lobes. Initial specimens collected in April 2025 were initially mistaken for their close relative G. andersonii before advanced morphological and genetic analysis revealed their true classification.
A collaborative team from multiple Chinese research institutions confirmed the discovery through findings published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Researchers emphasize this third recognized species in its genus provides crucial data for understanding fish adaptation patterns in high-altitude environments.
"This discovery reshapes our understanding of biological diversity in the Himalayan watersheds," stated a lead researcher from the Xizang Museum of Natural Science. The finding is expected to inform conservation strategies and evolutionary studies across Asia's 'Third Pole' region.
