 Diver finds first-ever European cave fish Miami (AFP) April 3, 2017 - A diver spotted an unusual pink fish swimming in an underwater grotto in Germany, and researchers now say it is the first known cave fish ever discovered in Europe. The fish, known as a loach in the genus Barbatula, was found in the dark, remote, frigid underground caverns at the junction of the Danube River and Aachtopf springs in southern Germany, said the study in Current Biology. Until now, more than 150 types of cave fish -- which typically have little pigment and no or very small eyes -- were known to reside on all continents except Antarctica and Europe. Diver Joachim Kreiselmaier first spotted the strange-looking fish in August 2015, while exploring the deepest parts of the Danube-Aach system, said the study. "No more than 30 divers have ever reached the place where the fish have been found," said Kreiselmaier. "Due to the usually bad visibility, strong current, cold temperature, and a labyrinth at the entrance, most divers do not come back again for diving." He took some photos, showed them to cave fish experts, and went back. He caught some live loaches and brought them back for study. Researchers compared the loaches' physical and genetic characteristics to fish that swim near the surface by the cave and confirmed "that the cave loaches are indeed an isolated population and the first known European cave fish," said the report. Since they live in darkness, the loaches' have smaller eyes that appear to be curved inwards, and their color is drastically faded compared to other fish. Other adaptions by the cave fish include long, whisker-like barbels on their heads and larger nostrils. Researchers say the European cave loaches likely arose in the last 20,000 years. "It was only when the glaciers retreated that the system first became a suitable habitat for fish," said Arne Nolte from the University of Oldenburg and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology.
|
Conservationists on Monday captured a rare one-horned rhinoceros in Nepal as part of an attempt to increase the number of the vulnerable animals, which are prized by wildlife poachers.
Five rhinos -- one male and four female -- will be released into a national park in Nepal's far west over the coming week in the hope of establishing a new breeding group.
The first, a large male estimated to be around 12 years old, was located by rangers in Chitwan National Park after a four-hour search on elephant-back.
"He is one of the dominant males in this area," said park chief Ram Chandra Kandel.
The team of vets, wildlife experts and mahouts hope to capture a second rhino later Monday before departing for Shuklaphanta National Park, a 12-hour drive away.
It will take at least a week to capture and transport the remaining rhinos to their new habitat, which is already home to an estimated eight of their kin.
The first group of rhinos was released into Shuklaphanta in 2000, Dr Kanchan Thapa, a biologist from conservation group WWF, told AFP.
The latest rhinos are needed to replenish the population, he added.
Thousands of one-horned rhinos once roamed the southern plains of Nepal but rampant poaching and pressures of human encroachment reduced their numbers to around 100 in the later part of last century.
There are now around 645 after a government-led conservation push in the years since a 10-year civil war ended in 2006.
Poaching has declined significantly in Nepal, with only a few cases in recent years.
A rhino died last year after being shot by poachers, who were intercepted by authorities before removing its valuable horn.
Rhino horns can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the international black market, where they are used in traditional medicines in China and Southeast Asia.
Rhino poaching carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail and a 100,000-rupee ($1,000) fine in Nepal.
The other significant population of one-horned rhinos is in the Kaziranga National Park in northeastern India, where there are believed to be around 1,200.
|
|
Tweet |
Testing effects of 'noise' on the decision-making abilities of slime mold
|
|
|
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
