Fwd: NEW FISH SPECIES DISCOVERED IN THAILAND

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Apr 18, 2006 9:08 PM

NEW FISH SPECIES DISCOVERED IN THAILAND

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http://news./s/afp/20060412/sc_afp/thailandenvironmentanimalmarine_0604\

12145642

New stingray species discovered in Thailand

 

*Wed Apr 12, 10:56 AM ET*

 

BANGKOK (AFP) - Scientists have discovered a new species of freshwater

stingray in a Thai river, an environmental group said, warning that its

habitat must be protected to ensure its survival.

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The bottom-dwelling species, Himantura kittipongi, was found in the western

province of Kanchanaburi and belongs to the Dasyatidae family of stingrays,

the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said on Wednesday.

 

The 60-centimetre (24-inch) wide animal was named after Kittipong

Jaruthanin, the Thai fish expert who found the animal two years ago and

keeps it in a pond at his home.

 

The stingray has 12 to 14 rows of teeth on its lower jaw -- more than any

other species of Thai freshwater stingray, the fund said.

 

Two scientists, WWF Thailand senior freshwater biologist Chavalit

Vidthayanon and Smithsonian research associate Tyson Roberts, last month

confirmed the new species.

 

" This new finding reflects the high diversity of fish fauna in Thailand, "

the fund said in a statement.

 

It called for conservation efforts " for the survival of this new stingray

and many other Thai fish fauna as well as for sustainable management of

their fish resources and habitats. "

 

Chavalit said Thai officials must manage the area for the future. " It's not

just to save the stingray but the habitat as it will serve the local

community for fish, water and other ecosystem services, " he told AFP.