A new species of pacu, a relative of piranhas, has been identified in the Amazon River after being mistaken for another species, Myloplus schomburgkii, for nearly 200 years.
The newly discovered species, named Myloplus sauron, has unique features such as pearly white teeth, orange and black markings, and a stripe resembling the "Eye of Sauron" from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, inspiring its name.
Genetic analysis revealed three distinct species within the M. schomburgkii population, with subtle differences in vertebrae, fin characteristics, and physiological traits like the shape of the vertical bar and the number of total vertebrae.
Both M. sauron and M. aylans have flat, blunt teeth for chewing plants, unlike carnivorous piranhas, debunking misconceptions about their aggressive predatory behavior.
Pacus and piranhas are often confused due to their similarities, and their appearances can vary based on gender and life stages, making differentiation challenging.
The Myloplus Sauron joins a club of animals named after literary villains and pop culture references, like the dinosaur Lokiceratops, named after Norse god Loki, popularized in Marvel movies.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: livescience.com, greekreporter.com, natureworldnews.com, insidehook.com