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Blind Red Eel Found Living in Indian Village Wells
4 Aug
Summary
- An eyeless, transparent eel with visible red blood vessels was discovered.
- The new species, Rakthamichthys anchi, lives in dark groundwater wells.
- This finding highlights largely unknown hidden aquatic ecosystems in India.
A new species of blind, transparent eel, named Rakthamichthys anchi, has been discovered in two village wells in Assam, India. Living several metres underground in complete darkness, the eel lacks eyes and pigment, with its blood vessels visible through its translucent skin, giving it a striking red hue. The discovery was made in dug-out wells in Assam's Goalpara district, with one specimen found during routine well cleaning. The research, published in Zootaxa, was led by scientists from Germany and India.
These isolated groundwater habitats, known as aquifers, are among the least studied ecosystems globally. The eel's unique characteristics are adaptations to its lightless environment. Its scientific name reflects its distinctive crimson appearance, with "anchi" meaning "blood" in the Garo language. This finding adds a new member to the Rakthamichthys genus, a rare group of swamp eels found exclusively in India.
The discovery of Rakthamichthys anchi, alongside other recent finds like Garra nakana, suggests that underground aquifers in Northeast India harbour rich and undiscovered aquatic life. Scientists believe many species may still exist in these isolated, ancient ecosystems. Understanding these hidden worlds is crucial, as many people rely on groundwater for drinking water, unaware of the fragile biodiversity it supports and the threats it faces from pollution and over-exploitation.
