Guess what? Researchers have stumbled upon a new fish species that’s similar to piranhas, and get this – it’s been dubbed after Sauron, the infamous antagonist from J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings.
This fish, named Myloplus sauron, is believed to inhabit South America’s Amazon Rainforest, potentially limited to the Xingu River drainage in Brazil. Despite its fearsome piranha-like looks, this fish mainly grazes on plants.
Recent research has shed light on two new species within the pacu family, one of which is Myloplus schomburgkii, recognized by a striking black bar along its body.
Surprisingly, what was thought to be M. schomburgkii turned out to be two new species – M. sauron and M. aylan, distinguished through DNA analysis and morphological differences like bar shapes and fin structures.
These fish share a resemblance, with the striking black bars being a standout feature.
It’s fascinating how these closely related species were misclassified for so long but are now clearly distinguished based on genetics and physical traits.
Named after the sinister character in the Lord of the Rings, the fish’s pattern mirrors the Eye of Sauron, as noted by Rupert Collins, the senior curator for fishes at the Natural History Museum in London.
This discovery underscores the vast biodiversity of the Amazon River, often teeming with yet-to-be-discovered species like M. sauron, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts in the region.
This new fish species is not alone in being named after famous figures; think dinosaurs, butterfly families, or even frogs!
Interestingly, despite resembling piranhas, pacus like Myloplus have friendly, plant-eating habits, lacking the notorious sharp teeth that make piranhas fearsome meat-eaters.