A new species of vegetarian piranha named “Sauron” has been discovered in the Amazon rainforest. This fish, similar to the piranha, has been named after the evil entity from the Lord of the Rings saga. The British Museum of Natural History announced this discovery on Tuesday, June 11th. “Myloplus sauron” has a round shape, red fins, and a long black stripe resembling the eye of Sauron, the Dark Lord in Tolkien’s universe.
The scientists who discovered and named this new species are working to expand the knowledge of fish communities in the Amazon River. This vegetarian piranha has teeth similar to humans, adapted to its plant-based diet. While it is closely related to the carnivorous piranha, it is better known as “pacu,” which refers to the vegetarian relatives of this freshwater fish.
The existence of “Myloplus sauron” was revealed with the publication of a study in the Neotropical Ichthyology journal on Monday. The study focused on Amazonian piranhas and similar species, highlighting the challenges of identifying these fish due to their changing appearances throughout their lives. Rupert Collins, one of the leading fish specialists at the Natural History Museum in London, participated in describing this new species.
Many species in the Amazonian wildlife have yet to be discovered by scientists. The Amazon River basin, particularly the Xingu River basin in Brazil where “Myloplus sauron” is found, contains over 600 fish species, including 70 that are unique to this region. It is estimated that 42% of the fish species in the Amazon River are still unknown to science.
This discovery underscores the importance of further exploration and research in the Amazon rainforest to understand and protect its unique biodiversity. The naming of this new species after a fictional character like Sauron also highlights the cultural significance of nature and storytelling in our world. As scientists continue to uncover new species and expand our knowledge of the natural world, there is much more to learn about the creatures we share our planet with.