An in-depth exploration of the tropical wet evergreen forests in the conservation area of  Kudremukh National Park (KNP) has resulted in the finding of six new species including a freshwater catfish that has adapted itself to survive in torrential waters of foothills rivers and mountain streams.

The new species of fish, which has been christened Glyptothorax kudremukgensis after its place of origin, Kudremukh, has striking characters by way of its miniature body speckled with prominent tubercles in horizontal arrays in back and flanks.

The distribution of the fish is so far known only in KNP. It was found by a survey team in the headwaters of the Thunga river flowing through a degraded forest patch at the Muduba region of the park.

The survey conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) over a three year period in the picturesque, mountainous landscapes consisting of forest tracts in Western Ghats also resulted in the discovery of five new insects species. All belong to the group Hymenoptera.

In all, more than 522 species of fauna had been recorded in KNP proving why it is identified as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.

The survey team explored varied stretches of habitats representing forested, non-forested and modified or degraded areas, especially in the northern and central regions of the KNP.

The survey results along with explorations and findings made in Bannerghatta National Park and also Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary were released in Bangalore on Wednesday.

The function was jointly organised by the Forest Department and ZSI.

At Bannerghatta National Park, the ZSI team found a Gangetic cyprinid fish which was last reported in 1942. The survey found that the BNP is a sanctuary to far more fauna and biotic wealth than earlier estimated.  Seven new records of reptiles, 27 additional bird species have been recorded.

The park is a sanctuary for 222 birds including the endangered  Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Jerdon’s Laughing Thrust and Blue Winged Parakeet.
At Biligiri, the team recorded 249 birds belonging to 49 families including 22 rare and 47 migratory species.
The wildlife sanctuary located at the eastern most edge of Western Ghats and its wide range of climatic conditions contribute to the heterogeneous assemblage of vegetation such as shrubs, deciduous, raparian, evergreen, sholas, and grasslands.

Surveys
Speaking on the occasion, ZSI Director Ramakrishna said surveys of other conservation areas in the state would be taken up soon. 

The ZSI will take intensive mopping up surveys of the entire country for its animal-life by resorting to state-wise exploration and analysis, he said.