New genus of electric fish discovered in South America

[Crisp]

New genus of electric fish discovered in 'lost world' of South America

 

This is an Akawaio penak small. Credit: Hern?n L?pez-Fern?ndez

 

A previously unknown genus of electric fish has been identified in a remote region of South America by a team of international researchers including University of Toronto Scarborough professor Nathan Lovejoy.

The Akawaio penak, a thin, eel-like electric fish, was discovered in the shallow, murky waters of the upper Mazaruni River is northern Guyana. Lovejoy's team at UTSC analyzed tissue samples collected during a recent expedition by a researchers led by Hern?n L?pez-Fern?ndez at the Royal Ontario Museum. By sequencing its DNA and reconstructing an evolutionary tree, Lovejoy's team discovered the fish is so distinct it represents a new genus, the taxonomic classification level above species.

The upper Mazaruni River is a hotspot for biological diversity, yet remains largely unexplored because of its remote location. The area contains countless rivers on top of a series of uplands that have remained isolated from the rest of South America for more than 30 million years.

 

Source and more

[astropheed Veteran]

They aren't as fast as Gas-powered Fish, but they are economical.

[Growled Member]

I guess that was a shocking experience. :D

 

It seems like every day we hear of a new something being discovered in South America.