A new species of catfish has been discovered! A team of scientists in southern China has found a new type of predatory catfish… that can weigh over 220 pounds!
The discovery took place in Yunnan Province and has generated great interest in the scientific community, as it is an animal with primitive physical traits and genetics clearly different from the rest of its family! Something very unusual.
So yes, one more species to add to the catalog of aquatic animals we already knew, and a big question hanging over us: how do fish evolve in Asian rivers?
What fish are we talking about?
A catfish! A kind of specimen from the genus Bagarius, named Bagarius protos, and its name refers to its ancestral position in the evolutionary tree of its species.
A discovery after 20 years of expeditions
The discovery of this fish (the protos catfish, which is not the kind of catfish we usually think of) was not by chance. They spent over two decades searching for it, exploring the most inaccessible rivers in Yunnan, a region bordering Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Although at first they believed the specimens found belonged to a known species, the physical and genetic differences led to further investigation.
And of course, that’s when the truth came out: they had more than 8% genetic divergence in their DNA compared to other catfish in the same genus. They were facing a completely new species.
Physical characteristics of Bagarius protos
Bagarius protos is very different from others, it is known for its thick and hardened skin, a wide head with a very elongated snout, small eyes, and a body covered in spots and gray bands over a yellowish background. And wait! Even scientists captured specimens up to 50 centimetres long, local fishers claim there are individuals that exceed 220 pounds!! A real beast!!
In addition to its size, this fish has very particular behavior. It is a bottom-dwelling species, which means it hides on the riverbed waiting for prey. It was once considered highly valuable commercially in the area, although catching it required methods as rudimentary as tying a thick rope to a rock with bait and retrieving it the next day!
A living fossil in modern Waters
The name protos wasn’t chosen by accident either. This new species holds a very primitive evolutionary position compared to other members of the Bagarius genus, making it a key piece in understanding the evolution of freshwater predatory fish in Asia.
According to researchers, its morphology and genetics could help reconstruct part of the natural history of Southeast Asian rivers, as well as identify possible migration routes and genetic isolation in past eras.
And it’s not the only surprise!
The same thing happened in Myanmar (and under the same project), the team found another new species, yes, another one! This means that what seemed like just another expedition ended up discovering not one, but two new species of catfish in the same region, wow!! Both have been officially described in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, and the study is already making waves among biodiversity experts worldwide.
A real wake-up call
This is one of those moments that reminds us there’s still so much to discover in our world, don’t you think so? In the 21st century, while some species disappear without a trace, others are revealed for the first time. Our rivers, often overlooked, may hide creatures that seem straight out of another era!!
China, with all its contrasts and vast natural wealth, once again reminds us that Earth hasn’t finished telling us its story. And sometimes, the most fascinating things aren’t in laboratories or telescopes, but quietly swimming beneath the flow of a river.