New fish species discovered in Fergana gains international attention

The Fergana Valley is home to unique and diverse fish species, with some species not found in other regions of Central Asia, including rare varieties such as the Turkestan stone loach, Syr Darya whitefish (dace), and Kushakevich loach that inhabit the valleyʼs mountain rivers are considered endemic.
Currently, ichthyologist scientists at Fergana State University are conducting extensive scientific studies on species composition, biology, and fish ecology in the Fergana Valley and other parts of the country. The use of new and modern zoological methodology in ensuring research efficiency is proving to be of significant importance.
“In recent years, scientific and practical research has been carried out in collaboration with foreign scientists, not only in our country but across Central Asiaʼs water-bodies,“ says Bakhtiyor Sheraliev, an Associate Professor at Fergana State University and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biological sciences. “As a result, it has been discovered that many species in these areas remain unexplored and await scientific study.“
In particular, the discovery of fish species such as Triplophysa cferganansis in the Shohimardon River and Triplophysa daryoae in the Sokh River in recent years is a clear testament to this. Our research also led to the discovery of Dzihunia pseudoamudarjensis in 2024.
Notably, most of these newly discovered species are endemic to our region. The new fish species discovered last year differs from its relatives in the number of pores in its lateral line, thin caudal peduncle, lower dorsal and anal fins, and larger interorbital distance.
Foreign partners have acknowledged that these newly discovered fish species are a valuable resource for studying the regionʼs fauna, water ecosystems, and climate. Furthermore, they pave the way for advancing the fishing industry to meet global standards and for integrating scientific and practical expertise effectively.
Itʼs worth noting that last year, the discovery of a new species of stone loach characteristic of the Amu Darya drainage — Dzihunia pseudoamudarjensis — by ichthyologist scientists Bakhtiyor Sheraliev and Yorkinoy Qayumova, which had not been previously recorded in the valleyʼs ichthyofauna, received major international recognition. In discovering the new fish species, fish species samples from Central Asian water bodies stored in the ichthyology laboratory and collection of the Russian Institute of Zoology were also studied.
As a result, the new fish speciesʼ taxonomic status was internationally acknowledged, and an article about the success of Uzbek scientists was published in the globally renowned scientific journal Zootaxa. Furthermore, Dzihunia pseudoamudarjensis, discovered by Fergana scientists, was included in the international Eschmeyerʼs Catalog of Fishes under the California Academy of Sciences in the United States.
“Currently, together with the scientific team, we have begun research on the ichthyology of southern water bodies in our country and the upper reaches of the Syr Darya, including areas within Kazakhstan,“ says Bakhtiyor Sheraliev. “Additionally, as the head of the Central Asian region for the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group under the International Union for Conservation of Natureʼs Species Survival Commission, I have established collaborations with scientists from neighboring countries.“
In the near future, we aim to include endangered fish species from Central Asian water bodies in the international “Red Book” (Red List of Threatened Species). Currently, in collaboration with scientists from neighboring countries, research is underway to identify and protect these unique species. Additionally, scientific and practical recommendations are being developed for the relevant state agencies to support conservation efforts.
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