Reviewed by: Amelia Pilgrim
UAH professor discovers new species of cavefish under Redstone Arsenal
Reading time: 2 minutes
Matthew Niemiller, an associate professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, recently discovered a new species of fish living in Bobcat Cave, located under Redstone Arsenal.
Niemiller was the main author of a recent scientific report, published July 6, detailing Demogorgonichthys arcanus, also referred to as the “Demon Cavefish.”
This moniker is definitely earned by the fish’s distinct appearance, as its skin is eerily translucent.
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What to know about the Demon Cavefish
The Demon Cavefish was found living alongside the Southern Cavefish, but genetic testing revealed the two species were not closely related to one another. This is an interesting find because it suggests that cave-dwelling fish evolved independently from one another within the same limited ecosystem.
Both fish species show the same degeneration of the vision gene rhodopsin, despite not being closely genetically related. This is interesting because it shows that the isolated cave environment applied the same evolutionary pressure to each species separately.
The Demon Cavefish has only been found to live in Bobcat Cave, making it an endemic species. These kinds of animals are highly vulnerable to ecological change, so this finding reminds us how important it is to protect underground habitats.
This study also proves that there can still be undiscovered species living in well-monitored environments.
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