The names were announced by the University of Bern, whose researchers had reached out to the public.
Researchers from the University of Bern, the Natural History Museum Bern and the aquatic research institute Eawag discovered the two fish species in Swiss waters.
Both species both belong to the genus Barbatula – also known as the bearded goby or common loach. However, they colonise different habitats.
The species known as fluvicola lives in the fast-flowing streams and rivers of the Rhine system, while ommata lives in the calmer lakes of the Aare system. This species was found in Lakes Neuchâtel, Biel, Lucerne, Zurich and Walen.
Crucial for conservation
The discovery of new species is crucial for species conservation, as it forms the basis for conservation measures, the university said. “We cannot protect what we do not know,” said biologist Barbara Calegari from the University of Bern in the press release. The precise identification and naming of new species with scientific names is key to their legal protection.
The research group involved the public in the naming process in the hope of raising public awareness of biodiversity.
The almost 2,000 people who took part in the survey had a choice of two names. They were asked whether the first newly discovered fish species should be called Barbatula fluvicola or Barbatula amnicus.
For the second newly discovered species, they could choose between Barbatula ommata or Barbatula limnicus. The epithets describe a special characteristic of the fish species.
Translated from German by DeepL/mga
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