A new species of freshwater catfish, Pseudolaguvia khairii, was discovered in the Budhabalanga River in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, and formally described in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa. The species belongs to the genus Pseudolaguvia of the family Sisoridae — commonly known as Torrent catfish or Hillstream catfish. The Budhabalanga River drains into the Bay of Bengal in Balasore district, Odisha. This discovery adds to India's rapidly growing freshwater biodiversity database. India added 709 new faunal species in 2025 (ZSI annual release), and total documented fauna now exceeds 1,06,467 species.
Science & Tech
New Freshwater Catfish Species Pseudolaguvia khairii Discovered in Budhabalanga River, Odisha — Described in Zootaxa
Key Points
- A new species of freshwater catfish, Pseudolaguvia khairii, was discovered in the Budhabalanga River in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, and formally described in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa
- The species belongs to the genus Pseudolaguvia of the family Sisoridae — commonly known as Torrent catfish or Hillstream catfish
- The Budhabalanga River drains into the Bay of Bengal in Balasore district, Odisha
- This discovery adds to India's rapidly growing freshwater biodiversity database
- India added 709 new faunal species in 2025 (ZSI annual release), and total documented fauna now exceeds 1,06,467 species
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• Pseudolaguvia khairii: new freshwater catfish; Budhabalanga River, Mayurbhanj, Odisha; Zootaxa journal • Family: Sisoridae (Torrent/Hillstream catfish); Pseudolaguvia genus • Budhabalanga River: drains into Bay of Bengal, Balasore district, Odisha • India new fauna 2025: 709 species (ZSI); India total documented fauna: 1,06,467+ species
