River creature — with ‘large’ nostrils and ‘fleshy’ lips — discovered as new species
In a rocky mountain river of Vietnam, a scaly creature with “fleshy” lips and “large” nostrils swam through the fast-flowing water — or tried to. Visiting scientists scooped up the animal in a net.
Their catch turned out to be a new species.
Researchers visited Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park in 2020 and 2021 to survey local fish, according to a study published Aug. 9 in the peer-reviewed journal Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria.
During the surveys, researchers caught 16 unfamiliar-looking fish, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Vanmanenia duci, or Duc’s hillstream loach.
Duc’s hillstream loaches have “elongate” bodies, reaching over 2 inches in length, the study said. Their heads have “fleshy” lips, “small” eyes and “large” nostrils.
Photos show the “yellowish-brown” coloring of the new species. A dark brown band runs down its side, and dark brown blotches dot its head, back and fins. Seen from below, the fish has a “pale ivory” belly.
Duc’s hillstream loaches were found in rocky streams at elevations of about 2,500 feet, the study said. The river bottoms varied from gravel to stones to sand.
Researchers said they named the new species after Nguyen Huu Duc, an ichthyologist who “spent his whole life studying freshwater fishes in Vietnam.”
So far, Duc’s hillstream loaches have only been found at three sites within the Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, the study said. This park is in the Nguyên Bình district of northern Vietnam and near the border with China.
The new species was identified by its coloring, mouth, body shape, fins and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
The research team included Huong Thi Thanh Dang, Huyen Thi Duong, Fan Li, Huy Quang Nguyen and Hau Duc Tran.
This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 2:23 PM with the headline "River creature — with ‘large’ nostrils and ‘fleshy’ lips — discovered as new species."
