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Scientists have described a previously unknown species of catfish found in the Niger River in West Africa. It was given the scientific name Chiloglanis frodobagginsi - in honor of the hobbit Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings saga, MIR 24 reports with reference to Ichthyology & Herpetology.
Catfish can reach 1.7 to 3.8 cm in length, its body is brown with light and yellow-cream spots. Chiloglanis frodobagginsi has the largest eyes of all its relatives, long whiskers and at the same time a small number of teeth.
Scientists have come to the conclusion that once Chiloglanis frodobagginsi were at a distance of 4,800 kilometers from their fellow catfish, having made an "unexpected journey". Thus, two isolated populations arose, each of which followed its own path of evolutionary development.
Experts also noted that Chiloglanis frodobagginsi is in danger. The region where the species lives has been heavily affected by mining. Apparently, the species is already small in number, and habitat destruction can lead to complete extinction.