DistantNews
Support us
New 'demonic cavefish' discovered in Alabama cave, has visible brain
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Health & Science

New 'demonic cavefish' discovered in Alabama cave, has visible brain

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Scientists have discovered a new species of cavefish in Bobcat Cave, Alabama, which has been named Demogorgonichthys arcanus, or the "demonic cavefish."
  • The eyeless, pigmentless fish has a translucent body, allowing its brain to be visible, and possesses unique physical characteristics distinguishing it from known species.
  • Researchers believe this new genus and species may be among the rarest fish globally, currently known only from a single location with a likely small population.

A creature resembling something from a science fiction film has been discovered in the depths of Bobcat Cave near Huntsville, Alabama. Researchers have identified a new species of cavefish, notable for its complete lack of eyes, a humped back, and a translucent body that reveals its internal organs, including its brain.

The fish has been scientifically named Demogorgonichthys arcanus, a moniker inspired by the Demogorgon monster from Netflix's popular series "Stranger Things." This unique specimen was found during an expedition led by Dr. Matthew Niemiller, who initially expected to find known species like the Alabama cave shrimp or various cave crayfish.

Dr. Johnathan Armbruster, a curator at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History and co-author of the study, noted that such transparency is common in smaller fish living in open waters, helping them evade predators. However, for a cave-dwelling species, it's a distinctive trait.

It is often seen in smaller fish that live in open waters. Their body is transparent to make them harder to spot in clear water

โ€” Dr. Johnathan ArmbrusterDr. Armbruster, a curator at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, explained the evolutionary advantage of transparency in fish.

Niemiller, an associate professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was initially unsure if the fish was merely an unusual variant of a known species. However, after detailed CT scans, genetic analysis, and comparisons with other cavefish, the team confirmed it represented an entirely new genus and species. Its skeletal structure, in particular, differed significantly from all previously known cave-dwelling fish.

While the exact population size remains unknown, researchers suspect Demogorgonichthys arcanus could be one of the rarest fish in the world. "To our knowledge, the species is known from only one location and likely has a very small population," Niemiller stated. The findings were published on July 6 in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.

To our knowledge, the species is known from only one location and likely has a very small population

โ€” Dr. Matthew NiemillerDr. Niemiller, the lead author of the study, described the potential rarity of the newly discovered fish.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog