A NEW CATFISH, Pseudecheneis koladynae FROM MIZORAM, INDIA

Pseudecheneis koladynae, a new species of sisorid catfish, is described from the Koladyne basin of Mizoram State, India by eminent ichthyologist from Manipur University, Prof Vishwanath and Dr Anganthoibi, published in Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters

Diagnosis:Pseudecheneis koladynae is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: three isolated ovoid yellow nuchal patches, one in mid-dorsal line in front of dorsal-fin origin and two on either side of the middle spot, slightly behind; prominent bony spur on the antero-dorsal surface of the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore; short caudal peduncle (length 16.0-18.8 % SL); pelvic fin not reaching the base of the first anal-fin ray; and distinct sexual dimorphism with robust conical papilla in males and flat leaf-like comparatively smaller bilobed papilla with a small mid-ventral lobe in females.

For more information see 

Pseudecheneis koladynae, a new sisorid catfish from Mizoram, India (Teleostei: Siluriformes)

Nongmaithem Anganthoibi and Waikhom Vishwanath

Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 199-204, September 2010

Glyptothorax chimtuipuiensis, A NEW CATFISH FROM MIZORAM, INDIA

Glyptothorax chimtuipuiensis, a new species of sisorid catfish, is described from the Koladyne basin of Mizoram State, India by eminent ichthyologist from Manipur University, Prof Vishwanath and Dr Anganthoibi, published in ZOOTAXA. It is characterized by having a short and stout body with granulated skin; the dorsal profile anterior to the adipose fin strongly arched; a short and smooth dorsal spine, its length 5.1–8.9% SL; a pectoral-fin length of 16.8–21.9% SL, with the ventral surface of its first simple ray plaited; an adipose-fin base length 22.1–27.3% SL; and a chevron-shaped thoracic adhesive apparatus, the middle of its base concave, opening caudally with a depression at its posterior end, followed by a small fold of skin.

Diagnosis. A species of short, stout Glyptothorax, with granulated skin; the dorsal profile is greatly arched anterior to the adipose fin; the dorsal spine is short and smooth, its length 5.1–8.9% SL; the pectoral-fin length is 16.8–21.9% SL, the ventral surface of its first simple ray plaited; the adipose-fin base length is 22.1–27.3% SL; the thoracic adhesive apparatus is chevron shaped, wider than long, the median ridges of the apparatus perpendicular to its base, slightly diverging laterally (Fig. 1c), its base concave, open caudally, with a shallow depression at its posterior end followed by a small fold of skin.
For more information see the paper
N. ANGANTHOIBI & W. VISHWANATH (2010):
 Glyptothorax chimtuipuiensis, a new species of catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae)
from the Koladyne basin, India

 http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02628p062f.pdf

A NEW CATFISH Pseudolaguvia spicula from NE INDIA (MIZORAM) AND BANGLADESH

A new miniature sisorid catfish has been described from the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram and Bangladesh in a recent issue of the journal Zootaxa. 

Heok Hee Ng and Lalramliana named the new catfish Pseudolaguvia spicula, after its relatively short dorsal and pectoral-fin spines of this species when compared to many congeners. 

Pseudolaguvia spicula, a new miniature sisorid catfish is discovered from the Surma-Meghna River system in India and Bangladesh.  Pseudolaguvia spicula can be distinguished from congeners in having a combination of: head width 19.2–22.6% SL, dorsal-fin spine length 11.6–14.3% SL, length of dorsal-fin base 13.2–15.9% SL, pectoral-fin spine length 15.7–17.4% SL, length of adipose-fin base 14.7–17.1% SL, pelvic-fin length 14.6–17.1% SL, body depth at anus 12.8–16.8% SL, caudal peduncle length 15.4–17.9% SL, caudal peduncle depth 7.9–9.6% SL, caudal-fin length 24.2–27.5% SL, snout length 48.6–51.9% HL, eye diameter 10.6–13.9% HL, 30–32 vertebrae, smooth anterior edge of dorsal-fin spine, thoracic adhesive apparatus reaching beyond base of last pectoral-fin ray, absence of pale y-shaped marking on dorsal surface of head and supraoccipital process, and indistinct, pale vertical bands on body. 

HHN and LRL acknowledged the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Dr Tawnenga Principal, Pachhunga University College respectively. Department of Zoology, PUC is now undertaking UGC sponsored ‘Certificate Course on Pisciculture’ under the coordination of Dr K. Lalchhandama.
LRL thanks to Remsangpuia, Kawlengmawia, Angcha-a (Chanmari West),  Lalhminghlua, Terema (Saikhawthlir),  Pa Mawia (Bilkhawthlir),  Lalthazuala (Zawlnuam, Thuampui) and Pu Thianga (Minor Irrigation) Kolasib for rendering their help in collection of the new species.

For more information, see the paper: Ng, HH and Lalramliana (2010): Pseudolaguvia spicula, a new sisorid catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Bangladesh and northeastern India. Zootaxa 2568:61-68.
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02558p068f.pdf

A NEW CATFISH DICOVERED IN MIZORAM

A new species of sisiorid cat fish named Pseudolaguvia virgulata is recently discovered from the Barak River drainage in Mizoram, a north eastern state of India. This new finding is published in Zootaxa (25/6/10) by Dr Heok Hee Ng, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Singapore and Dr Lalramliana Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Pachhunga University College, Mizoram. They mentioned that members of the sisorid genus Pseudolaguvia are small catfishes found in rivers draining the sub-Himalayan region and Myanmar. They superficially resemble miniature species of Glyptothorax in overall morphology and in having a thoracic adhesive apparatus with a median depression, but can be distinguished in having prominent postcoracoid processes. Dr Lalramliana told the reporter that eleven species of Pseudolaguvia are considered valid so far and with this it become twelve. The new species can be distinguished from congeners in having a brown body with two or three narrow, pale longitudinal stripes and a pale Y-shaped marking on the dorsal surface of the head. Dr Lalramliana highlighted that fish fauna in Mizoram is poorly documented and credit should be given to Dr Tawnenga, Principal Pachhunga University College as he is the one who gave support to document the fish fauna of Mizoram which is undertaken by Department of Zoology of the institution.
The authors thanks to Mr Remsangpuia, Mr Kawlengmawia and Mr Hmingtea for rendering their help in collection of the new species.
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02518p068f.pdf

SYSTEMATIC LIST AND DISTRIBUTION OF FISHES IN MIZORAM, TRIPURA AND BARAK DRAINAGE OF NORTHEASTERN INDIA

you can find the numbers of fishes documented so far under the given link
http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2007/March/2599-2607.pdf

Major rivers and its tributaries

The rivers of Mizoram constitute a major part of the topography of Mizoram. Aided by heavy rainfall during the rainy seasons and occasional rainfall throughout the year, most of the Mizoram rivers are perennial in nature.

Some of the rivers flowing through Mizoram are:

Tlawng or Dhaleshwari,
Teirei,
Tuirini,
Serlui,
Chhimtuipui or Kolodyne,
Khawthlangtuipui or Karnaphuli,
Tuichang,
Tuirial or Sonai,
Tuichawng,
Mat,
Tuipui or Khawchhak tuipui,
Tuivawl 

The northern part of the state comprises of some important rivers like the Tlawng or Dhaleshwari, Tuirial or Sonai and some other rivers. Rivers like Mat, Tyao, Tuichang, and Tuipui fall in the southern part of Mizoram. The rivers of Mizoram are the main source of water for the people of the state. The perennial rivers of the state feed the lush green vegetation of Mizoram.

MIZORAM: A BRIEF STORY

Perching on the high hills of North Eastern corner, Mizoram is a storehouse of natural beauty with its endless variety of landscape, hilly terrains, meandering streams deep gorges, rich wealth of flora and fauna. Flanked by Bangladesh on the west and Myanmar on the east and south, Mizoram occupies an importance strategic position having a long international boundary of 722 Kms.

World-renowed for their hospitality, Mizos are a close-knit society with no class distinction and no discrimination on grounds of sex. The entire society is knitted together by a peculiar code of ethics 'Tlawmngaihna' an untranslatable term meaning on the part of everyone to be hospitable kind, unselfish and helpful to others.

The Land :
Mizoram is a mountainous region which became the 23rd State of the Union in February 1987. It was one of the districts of Assam till 1972 when it became Union Territory. Sandwiched between Myanmar in the east and and south and Bangladesh in the west, Mizoram occupies an area of great strategic importance in the north-eastern corner of India. It has a total of 630 miles boundary with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Mizoram has the most variegated hilly terrain in the eastern part of India. The hills are steep and are separated by rivers which flow either to the north or the south creating deep gorges between the hill ranges. The average height of the hills is about 900 metres. The The highest peak in Mizoram is the Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) with a height of 2210 metres. Mizoram has a pleasant climate. It is generally cool in summer and not very cold in winter. During winter, the temperature varies from 11 C to 21 C and in the summer it varies between 20 C to 29 C. The entire area is under the direct influence of the monsoon. It rains heavily from May to September and the average rainfall in Aizawl is 208 cm. Winter in Mizoram is wonderfully blue, and in the enchanting view of wide stretches of a vast lake of cloud. Mizoram has great natural beauty and endless variety of landscape and is very rich in flora and fauna. Almost all kinds of tropical tress and plants thrive in Mizoram. The hills are marvelously green.

Climate:
The upper part of the hills are, predictably cold, cool during the summer, while the lower reaches are relatively warm and humid. Storms break out during March-April, just before or around the summer. The maximum average temperature in the summer is 30 degree C while in the winter the minimum average temperature is around 11 degree C. The four months between November and February are winter in Mizoram which is followed by the spring. The storms come in the middle of April to herald the beginning of the summer. The mercury starts rising and the hills come under the cover of a haze. The three months from June to August are know as the rainy season. The climate as at its moderate best in the two autumnal months. September and October, when the temperature moves between 19 to 24 degree C.

Taken all in all, Mizoram is made up of wooded hills, swift flowing rivers quicksilver streams and still lakes, the combination of all this is a rarity. And it is the combination of these physical features that has given Mizoram its own charm and fascination.