What is Schistura sonarengaensis?

About Schistura sonarengaensis:

• It is a new species of loach recently discovered.
  • Loach is a freshwater bottom-dwelling fish and found across rivers in Southeast Asia.
• The new species is described from three cave-dwelling populations (Barak-Surma-Meghna drainage) in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
• Features:
  • The species is distinguished by its prominent eyes and 13-26 vertically elongated to circular black blotches on a grayish-black mid-lateral stripe, over a dull white or pale-beige body.
  • Despite lacking the typical adaptations for subterranean life, such as complete loss of eyes or pigmentation, this species shows reduced pigmentation compared to surface-dwelling relatives.
  • While these cave-dwelling fish are somewhat pale, they are not blind like other cave species found in Jaintia and Khasi Hills.
  • The new species retains prominent eyes and is distinct from other Schistura species in the Barak-Surma-Meghna and adjacent river drainages of northeast India, except for Schistura syngkai.