First Indian fossil record of gourami

Scientists discover fish fossils in the foothills of the Shivalik Himalayas in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The findings reveal evidence of an ancient freshwater ecosystem in the region.

Shivalik Fossil Discovery:

Dimension	Key Details
Location	Is located in the foothills of the Shivalik Himalayas in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
Geological Age	Provides for dating to about 5 million years during the Pliocene Epoch.
Fossil Type	Comprises otolith fossils made of calcium carbonate.
Species Identified	Comprises gourami, snakeheads, and gobies freshwater fish.
Unique Record	Provides for first fossil record of gourami in India and second globally after Sumatra.
Ecological Evidence	Provides for presence of lentic freshwater ecosystem with calm or stagnant water conditions.
Food Chain Evidence	Provides for coexistence of predators such as snakeheads and prey such as gobies.
Scientific Significance	Provides for first aquatic fossil discovery in a region earlier associated with terrestrial remains.