Scientists have discovered freshwater fish fossils(otoliths) in the Mohand area of Saharanpur (Upper Siwaliks), Uttar Pradesh marking India’s first gourami fossil and only the second globally.
- Research Leadership: The study was led by Ningthoujam Premjit Singh of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.
- The study, published in Springer Nature records:
- First fossil evidence of gourami (family Osphronemidae) in India
- Only the second such record globally
Best Online Coaching for UPSC
Key Findings
- Age Certainty and Stratigraphic Significance: While similar fossils have been reported from Sumatra, their exact age remains uncertain due to unclear stratigraphy; in contrast, the Mohand fossils are reliably dated to about 4.8 million years ago.
About Gourami Fossils
- Taxonomic Classification: The fossils belong to the Osphronemidae family (gouramis), a group of freshwater fishes known for their labyrinth organ.
- First Record in India: Represents the first fossil evidence of gouramis in India, marking a significant addition to the country’s palaeontological record.
- Rare Global Occurrence: It is only the second known fossil record globally, highlighting its rarity in the fossil record.
- Habitat Indication: Gouramis typically inhabit calm, stagnant freshwater bodies, indicating the presence of stable aquatic ecosystems in the region during the Pliocene.
|
- Evidentiary Value: The fossil evidence suggests that during the Pliocene, the area had a calm, stable freshwater body surrounded by dense vegetation. This is inferred from the presence of Osphronemidae family.
- Osphronemidae Family: It is a family that includes living gouramis, to which snakeheads, ambush predators, belong.
- First Freshwater Fish Otoliths from Pliocene (Siwaliks): The study reports the discovery of freshwater fish otoliths (ear stones used for hearing and balance) from the Pliocene deposits of the Siwalik Group in Saharanpur, marking the first such record from this period in the region.
- Discovery of Gourami Fossils: The fossils include members of the Osphronemidae (gourami family), representing the first fossil record of gouramis in India and only the second globally, with earlier findings from Sumatra lacking precise geological dating.
- Associated Fish Species: The fossil assemblage indicates the presence of gouramis, snakeheads (genus Channa), and gobies, suggesting a diverse and well-structured freshwater fish community during the Pliocene epoch.
Click to Explore UPSC Offline Coaching
About Siwalik Group
- Geological Age: The Siwalik Group dates from ~18.3 million to 0.22 million years ago (Miocene to Pleistocene).
- Nature of Deposits: It consists mainly of freshwater sedimentary deposits, indicating formation in riverine and floodplain environments.
- Geographical Extent: The formation stretches along the Himalayan foothills from the Potwar Plateau (Pakistan) in the west to Assam (India) in the east.
- Tectonic Significance: It provides crucial evidence for Himalayan uplift, erosion, and foreland basin development.
- Fossil Richness: The region is globally known for abundant vertebrate fossils, including:
- Primates
- Rodents
- Large mammals (e.g., elephants, bovids, hippos)
- Dominance of Terrestrial Fossils: Fossil discoveries have largely been dominated by terrestrial mammals, with limited aquatic records.
|
Significance of the Discovery
- Filling the Fossil Gap: The discovery fills a critical gap in the fossil record of the Siwalik Group, which was previously dominated by terrestrial mammalian fossils, by providing the first clear evidence of freshwater fish biodiversity in the region.
- Biogeographical Insights: The findings contribute to understanding the evolution and dispersal of Anabantoidei (labyrinth fishes such as gouramis) and establish a biogeographical linkage between South Asia and Southeast Asia, including regions like Sumatra.
- Climate and Environmental Clues: The fossil evidence indicates that the region experienced a humid climate with stable freshwater ecosystems during the Pliocene epoch, supporting diverse aquatic life.
- Significance of Rare Fossil Type: The discovery of otolith fossils, which are extremely rare in the Indian subcontinent, enhances the accuracy and reliability of species identification and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.
- Decoding History of the Gourami family: Although only a small number of otoliths have been found, this study offers important insights into how freshwater fish were distributed in the past, including the history of the gourami family.
About Otoliths
- Otoliths are small calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) structures found in the inner ear of fishes.
- Function: They help in hearing, balance, and spatial orientation in fish.
- Structure: Typically composed of aragonite (a crystalline form of calcium carbonate) and organic material.
- Types: Three main types in fishes:
- Sagitta (largest, most commonly studied)
- Lapillus
- Asteriscus
- Scientific Importance:
- Used in species identification due to their unique shapes
- Provide insights into age and growth of fish
- Help reconstruct past aquatic ecosystems
- Fossil Significance:
- Highly durable, hence preserved well in sediments
- Important for palaeontological studies, especially where complete fish fossils are absent
- Rarity in India:
- Fossil otoliths are rare in the Indian subcontinent, making recent discoveries in the Siwalik Group particularly significant.
|
7 Apr 2026
.png)
Current Affairs
GS Foundation
Optional Course
Combo Courses
Degree Program
