A new species of cave-dwelling fish has been discovered in Mawjumbuin cave, about 15 km from Mawsynram under East Khasi Hills district.
The discovery was made by a collaborative effort between scientists from Gauhati University, Lady Keane College, and the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources.
The species, named Schistura densiclava, was found in the cold, fast-flowing stream 60 meters inside the cave. The fish stands out for retaining its eyesight and pigmentation, unlike most cave-dwelling species. Its distinctive features include a pale yellow-green body, bold black bars, and a thick stripe near its dorsal fin.
This finding marks the sixth known cave-dwelling fish species in Meghalaya and the ninth new species described from the Northeast by the Gauhati University team.
