The New Finfish Genetic Resource Discoveries from Indian Waters – Need for Enhancing Taxonomy Capacity

Abstract

India is rich in diversified biological resources and ranks among the top ten species-rich nations with four global biodiversity hotspots. Indian fish fauna is highly diverse and explorations and germplasm inventories of ichthyo- diversity are being updated with several new discoveries. However, both geographical and taxonomic knowledge gaps exist, as many regions especially the far-flung and inaccessible pockets are either under- or unexplored, and many taxonomic groups remain poorly studied. During the last two decades, much information on fishes from the Indian regions have been generated and added to the catalogue of Indian fishes due to the advent of integrated taxonomical approach. Increasing number of new species every year, shows that much more of the diversity yet remains to be discovered and documented. Continuous extensive surveys and explorations are warranted in areas such as deep-sea habitats, islands, subterranean regions, caves and hill streams for unravelling the hidden diversity.