Hidden Beneath the Ganga Plains: New Eel Species Discovered
What Happened
Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of underground earthworm eel, Gangaichthys indonepalicus, beneath the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Bihar. The discovery began with a short TikTok video posted in 2024 showing an unusual tiny fish emerging from a borewell near the India-Nepal border
Key Takeaways
After spotting the TikTok video, scientists conducted extensive fieldwork in Bihar, pumping thousands of litres of water from borewells to obtain specimens. The find highlights how social media can unexpectedly aid scientific discoveries and reveals how little is known about underground ecosystems in India.