World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 6 (4): 313-318, 2014 ISSN 2078-4589 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjfms.2014.06.04.84253

Study on Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity of River Swat

Muhammad Ishaq, Shahroz Khan, Jehangir Khan, Naveed Akhtar and Kausar Saeed

Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (Buner Campus), Pakistan

Abstract: The present survey of the fish biodiversity of River Swat from Madyan to Chakdara was conducted in the period of January 2013 to July 2013. A total number of 18 species were collected belonging to 5 orders and 6 families. These species were pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Garra gotyla, Orienus plagiostomus, Puntius sophore, Racoma labiata, Schizothorax esocinus, Tor macrolepis, Schistura alepidota, Triplophysa naziri, Glyptothorax punjabensis, Glyptothorax stocki, Channa gachua, Channa punctatus, Mastacembelus armatus and Oncorhynchus mykiss. The richest family was family represented by 10 species. The fish biodiversity of River Swat also facing the inhuman activity like using illegal fishing technique in the form of electric current and dynamites etc due to which some important fishes like Schizothorax esocinus, Tor macrolepis, Cyprinus carpio are become endangered in the River Swat.

Key words: Ichtyofauna Distribution Diversity Threats River Swat

INTRODUCTION species composition of freshwater fishes are useful to examine factors influencing the structure of the fish Biodiversity study of fish generally termed as community [6]. Ichthyodiversity refers to the variety of fish species Biodiversity is important for the future found in certain area [1]. Ichthyodiversity refers to variety sustainability of marine natural resources that include of fish species depending on context and scale; it could commercial fisheries. While it is axiomatic that biodiversity refer to alleles or genotypes within fish population to is essential for sustainable productive fisheries there is species of life forms within a fish community and to surprisingly little supporting evidence. Fisheries that species or life forms across aqua regimes [2]. exploit a range of species or a range of populations may Fish species diversity pattern in rivers is dependent have more stable catches than fisheries that exploit a on the complex interaction of the different ecological single species [7, 8]. variables of the river viz, size, surface area of the drainage Fishes are enormously diverse, with different species basin, mean annual river discharge, temperature, depth, reflecting different conditions. Fishes often have major flow velocity, channel morphology, substrate and climate impacts on distribution and abundance of other [3]. Fish species are also an important indicator of organisms in water, they inhabits and display the ecological health and the abundance and health of fish characteristics of the ecosystem of water body. The will show the health of water bodies [4]. structure of fish community and their distribution has Fish diversity is more apparent than in their been reported by various workers in the different lakes morphology. Fishes range in size from the very small to and reservoirs [9]. the very large, adult gobies may be just 8 mm, whereas the Fish constitutes almost half of the total number of whale shark, Rhincodon typus, may reach 12 m. Some vertebrates in the world. They live in almost all species lack eyes, scales or fins whereas others are conceivable aquatic habitats; 21,723 living species of fish heavily armoured or have adaptations for producing have been recorded, out of 39,900 species of vertebrates sound, venom, electricity or light [5]. Studies of spatial of these, 8,411 are fresh water species and 11,650 are and temporal patterns of diversity, distribution and marine [10].

Corresponding Author: Muhammad Ishaq, Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (Buner Campus), Pakistan.

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The fish fauna of water bodies located in the areas Preservation: Fish were brought to the laboratory were under Pakistan is known through a number of fixed in 10% formalin solution in separate jars according comparatively recent studies conducted at different to the size of species. Smaller fishes were directly placed places and times [11-13]. These studies are useful in in the formalin solution, while larger fishes were given an providing baseline information on species distribution incision on the abdomen before they were fixed. and diversity in different areas, yet are deficient in many ways as none of these studies exclusively encompass the Labeling: The fish collected and fixed were labeled giving species of special importance and their conservation serial numbers, exact locality from where collected, date of status [14]. the collection. The common local name of fish used in this The freshwater fish fauna of Pakistan is represented region was labeled in each jar containing the fish. by a minimum of 193 fish species. These species belong to class , sub-class Teleostei, 3 cohorts, 6 Laboratory Work : Various morphometric measurements superorders, 13 orders, 30 families and 86 genera [14, 15]. of fish were made by ruler and Vernier caliper. Different In recent past, valuable contributions have been instruments used in laboratory work are light microscope, made by the researchers like Butt [16] who reported 94 magnifying glass, counting needle, forceps, beakers and species of fishes from the whole province of Khyber surgical gloves. Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Similarly Mirza [17] reported 13 species of fishes from River Kurram. Hussain and Shah Identification: The identification of the species was done [18] recorded 6 species from River Swat. Nisar [19] work mainly on the basis of the colour pattern, specific spots or on the fishes of Tanda Dam Kohat and reported 23 marks on the surface of the body, shape of the body, species. Shahjehan and Khan [20] reported 26 fishes structure of various fins etc, by using different systemic belonging to 8 families from Baran Dam, Bannu. and identification keys. Ahmad and Mirza [21] were the first to record 8 species of fish from Swat, including two new Iocohes. RESULTS Ahmad [22] added two more species to the list. Mirza [23] added 4 more species to the fishes of Swat and adjoining During this research project 18 species were collected areas. Another species was recorded from Buner valley from the River Swat (Madyan to Chakdara) which belongs making a total of 15 species from Swat and the adjoining to 5 orders and 6 families. The family Cyprinidae is the areas of Buner and Dir. Brown trout (Slamo trutta ferio) most dominant family of the fish biodiversity of the River and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were Swat. The details are shown in Table 1. introduced here in 1928 and 1973 respectively [16]. The present collection contains both the small The present study was conducted with the following and large size fishes. The Barilius pakistanicus, objectives; Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Puntius sophore, Schistura To study the fish fauna and their distribution in the alepidota, Triplophysa naziri and Glyptothorax stocki River Swat. are the smaller size fishes of the River Swat. Due to their To study the presence status of fish biodiversity of size these fishes have no marketing value. But due to the River Swat. part of biodiversity its play a very important rule as an To find out the important commercial fishes of the integral part of food chain and food web of the riverine River Swat. ecosystem. Among the small size fishes like Barilius To aware the people to avoid from the illegal fishing pakistanicus and Puntius sophore are the beautiful activity. ornamental fishes used to keep alive in aquarium and bear great economic value. The details of different MATERIALS AND METHODS morphometric measurements of fishes are shown in Table 2. Sampling: Fish samples were collected from River Swat The Cyprinidae was found to be the most dominant from different selected localities with the help of local family which includes 10 species, followed by family fisherman using different types of nets namely hand nets, Nemachleilidae includes 02 species, Family Sisoridae cast nets and hooks. Immediately photographs were taken includes 02 species, family Channidae includes 2 species prior to preservation with 10% formalin, since formalin while family Mastacembelidae and Salmonidae include 01 decolorizes the fish color on long preservation. species respectively. The details are given in the Table 3.

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Table 1: Fish biodiversity of River Swat, catch frequency, % of catch and their status. Order Family Fish species Frequency Catch % Status Cyprinidae Barilius pakistanicus 05 5.61 % ++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Crossocheilus diplocheilus 07 7.86 % ++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Carassius auratus 06 6.74 % ++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Cyprinus carpio 02 2.24 % - Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Garra gotyla 12 13.48 % +++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Orienus plagiostomus 10 11.23 % +++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Puntius sophore 04 4.49 % + Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Racoma labiata 08 8.98 % +++ Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Schizothoraxe Socinus 01 1.12 % - Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Tor macrolepis 02 2.24 % - Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae Schistura alepidota 05 5.61 % ++ Cypriniformes Nemacheilidae Triplophysa naziri 06 6.74 % ++ Siluriformes Sisoridae Glyptothorax punjabensis 02 2.24 % - Siluriformes Sisoridae Glyptothorax stocki 04 4.49 % + Channiformes Channidae Channa gachua 05 5.61 % ++ Channiformes Channidae Channa punctatus 04 4.49 % + Mastacembeliformes Mastacembelidae Mastacembelus armatus 03 3.37 % + Salmoniformes Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss 03 3.37 % + Key: +++ Most abundant ++ Abundant + Less abundant - Rare

Table 2: Morphometric measurements of Fish species of River Swat Fish name T.L/cm S.L/cm H.L/cm E.d/cm Sn.L/cm Barilius pakistanicus 9.8 8.4 1.8 0.4 0.5 Carassius auratus 15 13 03 0.6 0.9 Channa gachua 14 12 3.5 0.5 0.7 Channa punctatus 14.2 12.2 3.6 0.5 0.7 Crossocheilus diplocheilus 11.5 9.5 02 0.4 01 Cyprinus carpio 10 08 2.2 0.5 0.7 Garra gotyla 12 10.5 02 0.4 01 Glyptothorax punjabensis 13.8 11.3 2.7 0.3 1.3 Glyptothorax stocki 9.8 7.8 1.2 0.2 0.8 Mastacembelus armatus 30.3 29.3 4.9 0.3 1.6 Orienus plagiostomus 23 19 04 0.7 1.5 Puntius sophore 07 5.7 1.5 0.5 0.4 Racoma labiata 22 19 04 0.7 1.5 Schistura alepidota 9.7 08 1.4 0.2 0.9 Schizothorax esocinus 29.8 25.1 6.4 0.9 2.4 Tor macrolepis 17 14 3.7 0.7 01 Triplophysa naziri 09 08 1.4 0.2 0.5 Oncorhynchus mykiss 19.5 17 04 01 01 Key: T. = Total length S.L= Standard length H.L= Head length E.d= Eye diameter Sn. L= Snout length

Table 3: Dominancy of fishes by family Family Frequency Percentage Nemacheilidae 02 11.11% Sisoridae 02 11.11% Channidae 02 11.11% Cyprinidae 10 55.56% Mastacembelidae 01 5.55% Salmonidae 01 5.55%

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DISCUSSION The present collection contains 15 of the above species. He did not report some species viz Glyptothorax The present survey of the fish biodiversity of River punjabensis, Glyptothorax stocki and channa punctatus Swat was conducted from January 2013 to July 2013. which were collected in the present survey. In the present fish biodiversity study 18 species of 16 Ahmad [25] collected 18 species from River Swat different genera, 6 families and 5 orders were recorded which included Barilius pakistanicus, Carassius from the River Swat. The Cyprinidae was found to be the auratus, Channa gachua, Channa punctatus, most dominant family which includes 10 species namely Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Garra gotyla, Barilius pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Glyptosternum reticulatum, Glyptothorax stocki, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Garra gotyla, Glyptothorax punjabensis, Mastacembelus armatus, Orienus plagiostomus, Puntius sophore, Racoma labiata, Oreinus plagiostomus, Puntius sophore, Puntius Schizothorax esocinus and Tor macrolepis. The family conchonius, Puntius chola, Recoma labiata, Schistura Nemachleilidae includes Schistura alepidota and alepidota, Tor macrolepis and Triplophysa naziri [25]. Triplophysa naziri. Family Sisoridae includes The present collection contains 15 of the above Glyptothorax punjabensis and Glyptothorax stocki while species. Ahmed [25] did not report some species like family Channidae includes Channa gachua and Channa Schizothorax esocinus, Cyprinus carpio and punctatus. The family Mastacembelidae and Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss. The present collection covered include single species Mastacembelus armatus and most of the fish fauna of the River Swat but still some Oncorhynchus mykiss respectively. might not be captured which were recorded in the Six species from the River Swat viz Schizothorax previous survey these are Xenentodon cancila, curvifrons, Schizothorax esocinus, Schizothorax Triplophysa choprai, Puntius chola, Puntius longipinnus, Schizothorax plantifrons, Schizothorax conchonius, Labeo dero, Glyptothorax cavia and progastus and Schizothorax nasus in 1960 by Hussain Glyptosternum reticulatum. These species may be either and shah [18]. The present collections contain only the escaped due to the flood of 2010 or may be of other Schizothorax esocinus from above species. reasons because before flood these species were recorded Ahmad and Mirza [21] recorded 8 species from the from the River Swat. River Swat viz Glyptosternum reticulatum, Glyptothorax In Pakistan about 30 species of which the platypogonoides, Schizothorax labiatus, Oreinus economically important species are: Labeo rohita, sinuatus griffthi, Noemacheilus choprai, Noemacheilus Gibelion catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus reba, rupicola alepidotus, Noemacheilus naziri and Channa straita, Channa marulius, Sperata sarwari, Noemacheilus naseeri. Ahmad [22] added two more Wallago attu, Rita rita, Bagarius bagarius, Tenualosa species to the list viz Salmo trutta fario, Schizothorax ilisha, Notopterus notopterus, Nemacheilus spp., Tor plagiostomus. Mirza [23] added 4 more species to the macrolepis, Schizothorax spp. and Clupisoma naziri [26]. fishes of Swat namely Barilius vagra, Puntius ticto, The present collection also contains the commercially Crossocheilus diplocheilus and Channa gachua [16]. important fishes namely Oreinus plagiostomus, Recoma They did not report any species from the above six labiata, Schizothorax esocinus, Cyprinus carpio, species which were recorded by Hussain and Shah [18] Carassius auratus, Garra gotyla, Tor macrolepis, from River Swat. Channa punctatus, Mastacembelus armatus and The present collections contain only four from the Oncorhynchus mykiss. Among the commercial fishes the above species namely Schizothorax labiatus, Schizothorax esocinus, Tor macrolepis, Cyprinus carpio Schizothorax plagiostomus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus are become very rare in the River Swat because of the and Channa gachua. illegal fishing activity like using electric current, dynamite Yousaf [24] collected 20 species from River Swat etc. Proper conservation and management are required for which included Triplophysa naziri, Triplophysa choprai, the protection of such fishes. Schistura alepidota, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, In the last four decades, Pakistan has introduced Glyptosternum reticulatum, Schizothorax plagiostomus, several alien exotic fish species e.g. grass carp Racoma labiata, Schizothorax esocinus, Glyptothorax (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp cavia, Xenetodon cancila, labeo dero, Tor marolepis,(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp Mastacembelus armatus, Channa gachua, Pantius (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus sophore, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Garra gotyla, Cyprinus carpio), gold fish (Carassius auratus), three species of carpio, Carassius auratus and Barilius pakistanicus. tilapia (Oreochromis aureus, Oreochromis mossambicus,

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