NANNING -- A new fish species without functional eyes has been discovered in a subterranean river within a cave in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The translucent fish, Karstsinnectes longzhouensis, belongs to the genus Karstsinnectes. Chinese scientists, in a paper published in the international journal Zoosystematics and Evolution, have named it after Longzhou county of Guangxi, where the species was found.
Ge Jiayue, the first author of the paper from Guangxi Normal University, said the fish is blind, with its eyes completely degenerated and only a tiny eye spot remaining.
According to the research, Karstsinnectes is a new genus established in 2023 and is endemic to China. It is known to be in parts of Guangxi and neighboring Guizhou province. The fish in this genus are all typical cave-dwelling species.
Researchers pointed out that cavefish are highly sensitive to environmental changes, such as human activities and climate change, which put them at high risk of extinction. The protection of these rare and unique species is of great significance for the understanding of evolution mechanisms and biodiversity conservation in karst geomorphic areas.
- Asia's largest wildlife seed bank preserves over 11,000 plant species
- Blind cavefish species found in Guangxi's underground stream
- New sedge species discovered in Du'an Yao autonomous county
- 6 new plant species discovered in Guangxi
- New cave-dwelling fish species discovered in Guangxi
- World's first cloned endangered Xizang cattle species born
Popular Videos
Hot comments
- China Life: Chinese women shine with She Power
- Homemade curling videos trending in China
- First apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals, zoo official says
- 6-year-old Chinese boy becomes youngest Rubik's Cube player for A-level
- 16-year-old Chinese girl reaches summit of Mt. Qomolangma
- 63-year-old Chinese master carpenter turns YouTube influencer
- China’s homemade oral COVID-19 drug SIM0417 to enter market in 2 weeks
- Child sex offenders to be strictly punished
- 120+ Malaysian enterprises to debut at 20th CAEXPO
- 86-year-old grandma in Hebei spends most her life on traditional cheongsam
Top Reviews
- Xi congratulates Sheinbaum on election as president of Mexico
- Xi congratulates Tomasdottir on election as president of Iceland
- China's top procuratorate to oversee major environmental damage cases
- 24 Solar Terms: 7 things you must know about Grain in Ear
- High-speed sleeper trains to link mainland, HK
- Asia's largest wildlife seed bank preserves over 11,000 plant species
- Blind cavefish species found in Guangxi's underground stream
- Payment Service Center for overseas visitors launched at Nanning Airport
- International scholars gather in Guilin to advance ancient book studies
- World Environment Day 2024 | Endangered species on camera