‘Large’-eyed river creature — with ‘bright golden’ color — discovered as new species
In a small river of South Africa, a scaly creature with “large” eyes swam through the water until something snagged it and hauled it to the surface. Visiting scientists peered at their “bright golden” catch.
They were looking at a new species.
Researchers visited the Steelpoort River in 2012 and 2021 to survey aquatic life, according to a July 17 study in the peer-reviewed Journal of Fish Biology. They were particularly interested in one group of fish known as goldie barbs.
For decades, experts believed one of these fish species, Enteromius neefi or the sidespot barb, lived in the Congo basin and in South Africa, the study said.
But some researchers were skeptical. How did one species come to live in two disconnected river systems over 600 miles apart?
To answer that question, researchers took a closer look at 15 of the supposed sidespot barbs of South Africa, the study said. A pattern soon emerged. These fish were genetically and physically distinct.
Researchers soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Enteromius niggie, or the southern sidespot barb.
Southern sidespot barbs are considered “relatively small,” reaching less than 3 inches in length, the study said. They have “compact” bodies, “small” heads and “large” eyes.
During the breeding season, male southern sidespot barbs turn “bright golden,” researchers said. The rest of the year, the fish have a more muted yellow hue with hints of silver and “olive green.”
Photos shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Fish in the News show the new species’ shiny coloring.
Researchers said they named the new species “niggie” after the Afrikaans word “nig,” meaning “female cousin,” because of the “historical association” with Enteromius neefi, whose name means “male cousin” in Afrikaans.
The word “niggie” is “pronounced with a hard guttural sound, made at the back of the throat,” similar to a “g” or “ch” in Afrikaans or Dutch, the study said.
Southern sidespot barbs have been found in rivers of northeastern South Africa and neighboring Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. This region is east of Johannesburg and on the opposite side of the country from Cape Town.
The new species was primarily identified by its DNA but also by its coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said.
The research team included Martinus Scheepers, Pedro Bragança and Albert Chakona.
This story was originally published August 2, 2024 at 9:59 AM with the headline "‘Large’-eyed river creature — with ‘bright golden’ color — discovered as new species."
