About Awaous Motla:
- It is a fish with a vibrant yellow-coloured body and a fleshy upper lip.
- It was collected from the Mahanadi River.
- The discovery was made during the ongoing research project funded by the Department of Science and Technology of the Odisha government.
- The species belongs to the family 'Awaous' (Oxudercidae) and is thus named 'Awaous motla.
Key facts about the Mahanadi River
- It is one of the major east-flowing peninsular rivers in India.
- Origin: The river originates from the Sihawa range of hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh state.
- Course:
- It flows in a southeastern direction through Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
- The catchment area of the basin extends over major parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
- It is bounded in the north by Central India hills, in the south and east by the Eastern Ghats, and in the west by Maikal hill range.
- Tributaries: The main tributaries of Mahanadi are Seonath River, Jonk River, Hasdeo River, Mand River, Ib River, Ong River, and Telen River.
