New discovery in Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No inter-border heritage

A blind fish species recently discovered living in the underground river system in Phong Nha - Ke Bang and Hin Nam No (Laos) has revealed a special ecological connection.

On July 25, Mr. Pham Hong Thai - Director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park ( Quang Tri province) - said that conservation experts have just discovered a special blind fish species living in the underground river system of the Phong Nha - Ke Bang trans-border heritage cluster (Vietnam) and Hin Nam No (Laos).

Newly discovered blind fish species

Called the cave blind fish, this fish has no eyes, a typical feature of creatures adapted to the absolute darkness of ancient limestone caves hundreds of millions of years old. Instead of sight, they have developed the ability to sense vibrations and water pressure through a system of sensitive fins and whiskers.

The first individuals were discovered in Son Doong cave, Va cave, Hung Thong cave (in Phong Nha - Ke Bang) and Xe Bang Fai cave (in Hin Nam No - Laos).

Mr. Thai said that this discovery is clear evidence of the ecological connection between two adjacent heritage areas, with a closed network of caves and underground rivers, creating conditions for the formation of isolated evolutionary species.

Scientists from the US and Vietnam are currently taking samples to decode their DNA, to determine whether the blind fish on both sides of the border are the same species or two different evolutionary branches. If confirmed as the same species, this will be one of the few endemic creatures in the transnational heritage system - of special value in conservation and evolutionary research.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/phat-hien-moi-o-di-san-lien-bien-gioi-phong-nha-ke-bang-va-hin-nam-no-post1763661.tpo