Unknown herbivorous pyranha

2003/01/30 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia

On the border between Guyana and Suriam, French researchers from the Institute for Development Research have discovered two species of herbivorous piranhas unknown so far. To date, a total of 30 species of piranha had been identified, the last two unknown. Tometes are species of lebaili and T. makue.

Although apparently somewhat different, both belong to the genus T. trilobatus and differentiate between the number of teeth and the shape of the mouth. Two new large species have been detected not only in the deep waters of the Amazon Shoe, but also in the Guyana Shoe. French and local scientists will continue to study these fish to find more species.

The study was conducted by the French organization IRD. Photo:
Michel Jegui (IRD)