Snakehead Gollum Fish Discovered In Kerala Found To Be A Living Fossil From Gondwanan Times
Recently, a new study conducted by scientists in Kerala found that the Snakehead Gollum is different from the rest of its fellow Snakehead fish.
Snakehead Gollum fish was discovered in Kerala and named after the famous character from The Lord of the Rings. It has been found that the fish is not just unique for its delicate scale like fins but is also a living fossil.
Recently, a new study conducted by scientists in Kerala found that the Snakehead Gollum is different from the rest of its fellow Snakehead fish. It has its own family called Aenigmachanna. The family name is taken from the epic fantasy novel by British author JRR Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings where it was used for a cave-dwelling character.
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Since its discovery this fish was studied by scientists from India, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The findings were recently published in Scientific Reports last month in 2020.
The Snakehead Gollum remains isolated from the world as it dwells in the dark groundwaters. They came under spotlight only after the devastating floods of Kerala in 2018 and were studied by the scientists.
A molecular analysis of the snakehead fish revealed that they exhibit a uniqueness of Aenigmachanna and are a separate lineage of snakeheads. ¡®It is estimated to have split from its sister group at least 34 or 109 million years ago (Dinosaurs were still around at the time) depending on the fossil calibration employed¡¯, a report states.
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According to the study, ¡®the fish descended from an ancient gondwanan lineage that survived the breakup of the supercontinent and the northward drift of the Indian subcontinent about 100 million years ago¡¯.
Their behaviour and characteristics did not evolve much over these hundred million years, because these remain mainly underground, away from human habitation.
The fish that was discovered was about 9.2cm in length, and it reportedly caught the attention of scientists after a fish enthusiast named Mohammed Ajeer posted its picture on Facebook.
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The Gollum snakehead (Aenigmachanna gollum) is a recently described species of subterranean fresh water fish from Kerala. If you come across anything similar, do record it on IBP. Photo by Anoop V. K. https://t.co/YnaQl6m5hP#fish #kerala #westernghats #biodiversity pic.twitter.com/7qdjJvcxgW
¡ª India Biodiversity Portal (@inbiodiversity) May 14, 2019
The scientists said this was the first snakehead fish that has been described as living underground. The body of the fish was unusually narrow for a snakehead and unlike other usually bright hues; this fish had an almost nude shade.
It had a very long anal fin which ran along its belly and tail so it could maintain buoyancy in the water column.
The lifestyle of this fish has given scientists an opportunity to understand prehistoric marine life.
Also Read: To Prevent Shutting Down In Crisis, Kerala Luxury Resort Converts Large Pool Into A Fish Farm
