Found a new breed of freshwater fish in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan scientists have found a new strain of freshwater fish and call it after the famous biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins.

Chief researcher Rohan Pethiyagoda, 56, said the new species, called Dawkinsia , is a combination of nine different fish species that only live in South Asia. They have special characteristics such as a small silk thread connected to the dorsal fin of males.

Earlier this species was classified as Puntius , which consisted of 120 different small tropical fish species.

Pethiyagoda, a world-renowned fish researcher and conservation expert, said that in-depth studies in India and Sri Lanka show that the level of biodiversity of Dawkinsia is higher than previous estimates.

This is part of the reason why the group decided to name the new fish according to Mr. Dawkins, 71, author of the anti-religious book "The God Delusion".

Dawkinsia fish

"Richard Dawkins thinks that his work helps us understand that the universe is more beautiful and shocking than any other religion ever imagined" - Pethiyagoda said, "We hope that Dawkinsia will be a tool to remind them. We remember the magnificence and simplicity of evolution, the only explanation for the unimaginable diversity of life on Earth. "

Male Dawkinsia fish often show strength by developing long and small filaments in the dorsal fin to look more attractive to the eyes of the children but also make them vulnerable to facing the enemy.

"These threads are like the peacock's tail, which is an expensive jewel that can put its owner at risk, while giving rewards to being chosen by the children," Pethiyagoda said.

The fish has been re-ranked after the study of DNA structure, bone structure and total anatomy of Puntius for 8 years.