Context
A new catfish species has been discovered in the river Cauvery near Mettur Dam.
About
- The edible species has been named Pangasius icaria (P. icaria) after the Indian Council of Agricultural Research that discovered the species.
- The new species of catfish belongs to the genus Pangasius.
- The genus Pangasius is found in the Gangetic plains but not in peninsular India.
- Through this study, they found that Pangasius specimens from the river Cauvery are different from other species of the genus Pangasius.
- The new species is edible and the locals call it aie keluthi in Tamil.
- Catfish has high commercial value in aquaculture and wild capture fisheries.
About Mettur Dam
- It is the largest dam in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
- It is situated across the Cauvery River.
- It was built in 1934.
- It took over 9 years to complete this dam having the maximum height of 214 feet and width of 171 feet.
- It is the main source of irrigation in the Cauvery Delta Region in Tamil Nadu.
