Armoured sail n cat sh spread to 60% of Eastern Ghats water bodies
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) scientists have found out that the invasive armoured sailn catsh has spread to 60% in the water bodies of Eastern Ghats, damaging the shing nets and the eco-system also.
The sh species was once introduced for its unique appearance and its ability to clean algal growth
The sailfin catfish was once introduced for its unique appearance and ability to clean algal growth in tanks and aquaria but its population has grown exponentially.
in tanks and aquaria but its population has grown exponentially and this was realised through a unique
‘eDNA-based quantitative PCR assay’ developed by the institute scientists to map the presence and spread of such invasive species, said an ocial release on Friday.
eDNA is environmental DNA collected from water samples and in this case, the scientists including chief scientist G. Umapathy and Neeldeep Ganguly looked for the DNA of the catsh specically through this innovative method. Invasive species when introduced in a new ecosystem can grow rapidly and often lack predators which threatens the new ecosystem and livelihoods depending on it.
“Our technique helps in the early detection of the armoured sailn catsh and its distribution in the Eastern Ghats waterbodies. This signicantly adds to continuing invasive species management eorts that directly help the survival of native and economically important shes. Prior detection of invasive sh is crucial for preserving ecosystems, reducing loss of sh catch and supporting ecological equilibrium.,” said Dr. Umapathy.
Unlike conventional methods, eDNA approach is reliable, and accurate, can be done a low cost and can be used in a large landscape like Eastern Ghats water bodies within a few months. In a single lab test, about 20 waterbodies can also be tested for the presence of invasive species using the eDNA approach accurately, said CSIR-CCMB director Dr. Vinay K. Nandicoori.