Dawkinsia uttara
# Dawkinsia uttara

Dawkinsia uttara, the northern filament barb, is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae.

## Etymology

The genus name Dawkinsia was given in honour of the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, while the species name uttara refers to Uttara Katwate, mother of the species author Unmesh Katwate.

## Description

Dawkinsia uttara is a small-sized fish, reaching up to 12 cm (4.7 in) in length. Phylogentically, Dawkinsia uttara is part of the "filamentosa" species group, differing from its closest congener Dawkinsia filamentosa in having a caudal fin with a narrower elongate black subdistal band and a terminal rather than subterminal mouth.

## Distribution and habitat

Dawkinsia uttara is found in the upper reaches of the Kajali, Terekhol, and Jagbudi Rivers of Maharashtra in the northern Western Ghats. It inhabits shallow and slow-moving streams, where it feeds on small invertebrates.

