Scientists discovered a new giant killifish species in the Chaco National Park.
A team of researchers from CONICET, various Argentine universities, and the National Museum of Natural History of Uruguay revealed it in a recent scientific publication.
They named the species Titanolebias calvinoi, which was found in temporary wetlands in the area.
What is the new giant killifish species like
The description of this new species for science constitutes an important discovery that provides innovative knowledge about biodiversity in one of the most threatened regions of Argentina.
Additionally, it highlights the importance of conserving these fragile wetland ecosystems to protect unique and specialized species.
Seasonal killifish, also known as annual fish, are small fish capable of living in ephemeral pools that dry up completely from time to time.
“They grow at an accelerated rate, reach maturity in a few weeks, and produce eggs resistant to dehydration, which enter a kind of dormant state that allows them to survive buried in dry mud until the rains return,” detailed National Parks officials.
Titanolebias calvinoi was first seen in June 2023 by a national park ranger, a biologist, and a naturalist in Chaco National Park, in northeastern Argentina.
It was inside a section of seasonal wetlands in the Negro River basin known as “La Ralera”.
After consulting with specialists and suspecting that it was a species unknown to science, the researchers collected several specimens. This is where the work began to describe the new species.
Another positive point was that the chance encounter happened a few weeks before the ditches dried up, and birds and other animals ended up eating these temporary fish.
What are killifish like and what threatens them
According to reports, the situation of this group in Argentina is concerning. There are 18 species of seasonal killifish recognized, and more than half are under some level of threat of extinction.
This scenario highlights the urgent need to reinforce research and conservation efforts to protect these fish, emphasizing the discovery of T. calvinoi as a ray of hope and a significant contribution of data to science.
The new species belongs to the genus Titanolebias, which includes killifish considered “giants.” This is due to their larger body size compared to others and represents the first species of this genus recorded in the eastern Chaco region.
Its discovery expands the known geographical distribution of the group. Furthermore, the finding in a protected area reinforces the value of national parks as biodiversity refuges.
“As park rangers or naturalists, we cannot put into words the excitement we feel,” expressed park ranger MatÃas Almeida, currently in El Impenetrable.
“More than pride, it is a dream. The curiosity about the natural world and the privilege of inhabiting and caring for preserved environments like National Parks have led to such a significant discovery, bearing witness that biodiversity never ceases to amaze us,” added the also responsible for the initial discovery.
“This record belongs to all of us who believe in conservation, in science, and in the hope that there is still much to be known and protected,” he concluded.
The species description was published in the journal Zoologischer Anzeiger under the title “The rise of a Titan: a new species of the giant Titanolebias killifishes, and its phylogeny (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)”.
