A researcher at West Virginia University has discovered a new species of catfish in Australia.

Stuart Welsh, adjunct associate professor of ichthyology in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, named the new species Wet Tropics Tandan (Tandanus tropicanus) and recently had his findings published in Copeia, an internationally respected and widely-cited journal that publishes original research on fish, amphibians and reptiles.

During 2010, Welsh spent two months conducting research in Australia. He traveled the wet tropics region to collect specimens and examined ones collected between 1883 and present that were available at the Australian Museum in Sydney. He traveled back in 2012 to finalize his study.

After examining the specimens, Welsh found distinct differences in some of the catfish that led him to discovering the new species.

The Wet Tropics Tandan, a freshwater eel-tailed catfish found in the wet tropics region of northeast Queensland, is the third species of the genus Tandanus to be recognized. Previously, the only known species were the freshwater catfish (T. tandanus) of eastern Australia and the freshwater cobbler (T. bostocki) of Western Australia.

“There is something surreal about the diversity of life on our planet,” Welsh said. “It is difficult to put your finger on it, but most people are awed and amazed by the diversity of life that surrounds us. The discovery of a new species contributes to our understanding of regional and global biodiversity.”

One of the most biodiverse continents in the world, Australia is home to 800 species of birds and close to 800 species of reptiles; however, it has less than 300 species of freshwater fish.

“Consequently, it is a rare research accomplishment to recognize a new species of freshwater fish in Australia,” he said.

As a genus, Tandanus catfish are unusual in that their dorsal, caudal and anal fins are joined giving the appearance of a continuous fin around the fish’s back end and, hence, the common group name eel-tailed catfish.

While the new species differs genetically from the other two, Welsh notes it’s also important to document differences in the fish’s appearance and placement of body parts.

“The new species differs from its close relatives by having larger eyes, a longer pectoral-fin spine, more fin rays in the continuous caudodorsal and anal fins, more gill rakers, and more serrae, or teeth, on the pectoral-fin spine,” Welsh explained.

With adults that can reach 20 inches in length and weigh close to four pounds, Tandanus catfish are commonly targeted by anglers; however, Welsh issues words of caution.

“Eel tailed catfishes are venomous. The pectoral-fin spine is armed with a serrated edge. The spine, which is used by catfish as a defense mechanism, releases venom when it pierces the flesh of a predator,” he said. “Anglers must handle this fish carefully, as a spine prick will cause a painful wound.”

Joining Welsh as co-authors of the study were two colleagues from James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Dean Jerry, head of aquaculture and deputy director of the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture in the School of Marine and Tropical Biology, and Damien Burrows, director of the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research.

Welsh has previously been involved in the discovery of the diamond darter, a new species of fish in West Virginia’s Elk River, as well as a new species of crayfish.

-WVU-

law/06/05/14

CONTACT: Lindsay Willey, Public Relations Specialist
304.293.2381, Lindsay.Willey@mail.wvu.edu

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