Indian Scientists Decode Genome of Endangered Fish Species

Indian Scientists Decode Genome of Endangered Fish Species

VoM News Desk | December 28, 2023 | 09:14 AM IST | Breaking News, Science & Technology | Follow on Google News

Indian Scientists Decode Genome of Endangered Fish Species/Science.com

Indian Scientists Decode Genome of Endangered Fish Species

In a groundbreaking achievement, a team of Indian scientists has successfully decoded the mitochondrial genome of Lepidopygopsis typus, an endangered freshwater fish found exclusively in Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats. This milestone, a first for this species, provides valuable insights into its evolutionary history, genetic structure, and molecular traits crucial for its survival in its distinctive habitat.

Revealing ‘Brahmanakenda’s’ Genetic Code
Known locally as ‘Brahmanakenda,’ Lepidopygopsis typus holds a unique status as the sole species within its genus, accentuating its evolutionary significance. The comprehensive sequencing of its mitochondrial genome, documented in the scientific journal ‘Genes,’ unravels essential information about its adaptation to the cold mountain streams of the Western Ghats.

The study was conducted by Rajeev Raghavan and Arya Sidharthan from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Abhilash Ravimohanan Nair, and Swetha Chandra from Christian College, Chengannur, alongside Neelesh Dahanukar from Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, New Delhi.

Mitochondrial Genome Insights
The researchers emphasized distinctive aspects of Lepidopygopsis typus’s mitochondrial genome, shedding light on potential factors contributing to its endangered status. Additionally, the study explored the species’ phylogenetic position and its connections with other species, setting the stage for further investigations into its genetic composition and enriching our comprehension of biodiversity.

Conservation Imperative for an EDGE Species
Designated as an ‘evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered’ (EDGE) species, urgent conservation measures are imperative for Lepidopygopsis typus. With a limited habitat range and threats posed by invasive species like common carp, tilapia, and African catfish, the study’s findings hold promise for formulating effective conservation strategies essential for preserving this distinctive species’s future.

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