Bagarius bagarius
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Bagarius bagarius, also known as the giant devil catfish or goonch (Template:Langx gorua, Template:Langx), is a species of catfish in the genus Bagarius. It is generally reported as being found in large and medium rivers in South Asia,[1] and is likely synonymous with B. yarrelli.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy
Prior to 2021, the standard was to recognize two species of Bagarius from the Indian Subcontinent: First B. bagarius, supposedly a small species (up to Script error: No such module "convert".) first described in 1822 by Francis Buchanan-Hamilton based on a specimen from the Ganges River.[2] The second is B. yarrelli, supposedly a very large species (up to Script error: No such module "convert".) first described in 1839 by William Henry Sykes based on a specimen from the Mula-Mutha River.[3] Recent studies have not been able to document that more than one species exists in the Indian subcontinent, which, if confirmed, would mean that the name B. bagarius is a senior synonym of B. yarrelli, which was confirmed by a 2021 study.[2][3][4] In contrast, Southeast Asian populations from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins typically included in B. bagarius likely represent a separate species, which a 2021 study found to be the new species B. vegrandis.[2][4]
The larger type has been accused of several fatal attacks on humans in the Mahakali River that is Nepal's western border with India.
References
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5. 'Giant Baghair caught in Jamuna' Script error: No such module "webarchive". in The Daily Star (Bangladesh), May 12, 2009]