New veggie piranha-like species named after Tolkien villain

London: A new vegetarian piranha like species discovered by scientists in the Brazilian Amazon has been named Sauron after the Lord of the Rings villa...

London: A new vegetarian piranha-like species discovered by scientists in the Brazilian Amazon has been named Sauron after the Lord of the Rings villain, Britain's Natural History Museum said on Tuesday.

Scientists formally described and named the "Myloplus sauron" because its round body and distinctive orange and black markings closely resemble the infamous evil eye of author JRR Tolkien's fictional character.

The new species, one of two recently named by scientists as part of an effort to better understand fish biodiversity in the Amazon River, has human-like teeth to suit its plant-based diet.

Although closely related to piranhas, it is better known as a "pacu" -- the common name usually used for the piranha's vegetarian relatives.

The study, published in the journal Neotropical Ichthyology on Monday, sought to shed light on Amazonian piranhas and their relatives, which are renowned for being difficult to tell apart as they change appearance throughout their lifetime.