An Indian man who made an extraordinary discovery of a rare, previously unknown fish species nearly three years ago has regained fame thanks to an acknowledgment from Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio on social media.
Abraham A, a former paramilitary soldier hailing from the southern state of Kerala, stumbled upon a new subterranean fish species called Pathala Eel Loach in 2020. The name “Pathala” is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “below the feet,” aptly describing its underground habitat. This snake-like fish resides in aquifers, which are extensive layers of permeable rock and sediment that store groundwater.
The fortunate find happened when Mr. Abraham noticed “a red thread in the bucket” while taking a bath. Intrigued by its movement, he investigated further and placed the thread in a glass jar. Realizing it was a living creature, he sought the expertise of Dr. Binoy Thomas, a local college professor, who connected him with researchers at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos). They identified the fish as a new species. Subsequently, four more fish from the same species were found in Mr. Abraham’s well and water tank.
Last week, the discovery gained renewed attention after DiCaprio, known for his environmental advocacy, posted a vibrant picture of the Pathala Eel Loach on Instagram and praised Mr. Abraham. The actor highlighted how such discoveries exemplify the significance of “citizen science” in enabling researchers to study unknown underground ecosystems. Unlike most fish living in surface waters like rivers and lakes, the Pathala Eel Loach belongs to a group of subterranean fish found in groundwater.
Dr. Rajeev Raghavan, an assistant professor at Kufos, mentioned that India has around 17-18 such groundwater fish species, with at least 11 of them being present in Kerala. These unique fish are exclusive to regions like India, China (which has the highest number of groundwater fish), and Mexico.
These subterranean fish, owing to their habitat, are rarely caught deliberately. They might accidentally emerge through taps when the aquifers connected to wells dry up during the summer. Kerala, with a significant number of homestead wells, presents ample opportunities for these fish to be encountered in such situations.
Dr. Raghavan emphasized that not much was known about groundwater fish until the 1950s, and their existence in Kerala was confirmed only in 2015 through Kufos’ research project, funded by the state government. The university later established a Citizen Science Network to educate people about the possibility of finding these fish through taps or in dry wells.
Apart from being a significant scientific discovery, the Pathala Eel Loach holds evolutionary importance. Most groundwater fish are ancient species, and studies reveal that one of the 11 species found in Kerala traces its origin back 125 million years, during the time of dinosaurs.
For Mr. Abraham, the discovery was already momentous, but DiCaprio’s acknowledgment made it even more special. The Hollywood star’s recognition thrilled and elated him.
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