HANGZHOU, OCT 4 – Researchers in China have discovered a new species of fish, Opsariichthys iridescenswhich features the beautiful colors of eastern China.
The findings were published in an international academic journal Zookeys and led by Professor Yang Jinquan from Shanghai Ocean University, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Forest Resources Monitoring Center and other institutions.
According to the study, the new fish species can be distinguished from closely related species with genetic differences exceeding 14 percent. This species is found in the Qiantang and Oujiang river systems in Zhejiang Province as well as the lower reaches of the Yangtze River adjacent to the Qiantang River.
Which explains that the discovery of some new species that live in rivers or fast flowing water, including Opsariichthys iridescensshowing that the diversity of freshwater fish species in the region is still underestimated.
He added that this species of river fish is an important source of food for water birds and other animals, as well as contributing to the nutrient cycle and purification of river water.
Protecting the fish species, according to Yang, is important to maintain the balance of the aquatic ecosystem, which in turn helps maintain biodiversity as well as promote sustainable development in ecotourism and fisheries. – Xinhua
