A Study on Fish Diversity of Thodupuzha River, Idukki District, Kerala

Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1),33-48 © 2019 St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Devagiri www.devagirijournals.com ISSN 2454-2091 A Study on Fish Diversity of Thodupuzha River, Idukki District, Kerala Salu K. Sasi & Ambili T.R. Department of Zoology, Alphonsa College, Pala – 686574, Kottayam, Kerala Received: 18.08.2019 Abstract Revised and Accepted: The present study was conducted to document the diversityof fishes in 23.08.2019 Thodupuzha River, Idukki District, Kerala. It is a tributary of Muvattupuzha River, Kerala. The study period was during December 2018 to February 2019. There are about 19 species of fishes were collected and identified. Fishes belonging to the species Puntius mahecola dominate the Key words: Fish Diversity of study site with about 10.6% abundance followed by the species Etroplus Thodupuzha River, Idukki, maculates. Rare species like Puntius muvattupuzhaensis was also collected Kerala during the study. Currently, the river is under severe ecological degradation due to sand mining and other anthropogenic activities. Despite this, the present study also highlights the rich diversity of fishes in this river, hence it is suggested that these river been protected to conserve for future generation. 1. Introduction fresh waters need adaptations for both environments; when in salt water they Freshwater fishes are those that need to keep the bodily salt spend some or all of their lives in fresh concentration on a level lower than the water, such as rivers and lakes, with a surroundings, and vice versa. Many salinity of less than 0.05%. These species solve this problem by environments differ from marine associating different habitats with conditions in many ways, the most different stages of life (Kurup, 2002). obvious being the difference in levels Most of freshwater fishes are well of salinity. To survive fresh water, the adapted to survive in different fish need a range of physiological climates and environments. And many adaptations (Jayaprakash, and Nair, other fishes have got additional 1981). 41.24% of all known species of respiratory organs to enable breathing fish are found in fresh water. When air while crawling through the land dealing with ponds and lakes, one that enable them to migrate from one might use the same basic models of to another habitat (Nelson, 2006). speciation as when studying island biogeography (Jayaram, 1981). Our rivers and wetlands and the rich biodiversity that they possess Many species of fish do from the vital resource base for our reproduce in freshwater, but spend own survival. Originating from the most of their adult lives in the sea. Western Ghats, 41 of the 44 rivers Species migrating between marine and which run through the entire breadth *Corresponding author 33 © 2019 St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Devagiri E-mail: [email protected] All rights Reserved Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 of the state of Kerala and ultimately 2001; Jameela Beevi and Ramchandran join the Arabian Sea, have a 2002, 2009; Ramachandran et al. 2001; predominant role in determining the Ajithkumar et al. 2003; Prasanth hydrology and ecology of the “God’s Narayanan et al. 2005; Raghavan own country’’ Moreover, the rich Rajeev et al. 2008; Swapna 2009) not biodiversity, especially of fish fauna of much study has been done on the these rivers contribute much to the diversity of Thodupuzha River. In recognition of the Western Ghats as view of this paucity of information, the one of the biodiversity Hotspot of the present survey was carried out to world (Karmakar et al., 2008). A large document the fishes of Thodupuzha amount of freshwater fish species are River. also being threatened by degradation, reduction or even loss of floodplains 2. Materials and Methods by damming, agriculture practices, Study Area urban development rivers dredging and geomorphologic modifications. The study area for the present (Sarkar and Banerjee, 2000). study is the Thodupuzha River, Idukki District, Kerala. It is a tributary of The riverine fishery of Kerala is Muvattupuzha River. The river is one highly diverse and is around 207 of the few in the state that does not species (Gopi 2000). Many species of become dry in the summer as the fishes documented in earlier studies outflow from the Idukki hydroelectric have not been found in recent reports project is drained into the river via (Ajithkumar et al., 2003). Though a Kanjar River. Thodupuzha river and number of studies have been Kanjar are major tourist attraction of it conducted on the fish diversity in the serene landscape and boating. A rivers of Kerala (Bijukumar and temple is also occupied in the bank of Sushama 2001; Raju Thomas et al., the river. Fig. 1 Map and Image of the study area 34 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Study period For getting data about fishes, the fishes must be caught at regular The study period was started on intervals. Each part of the 300 meter th rd 8 December 2018 to 23 February area must have 3catches and the 2019. For diversity study, keen species of fishes must be identified and observation of the fauna and flora of numbered. From the data obtained the river was necessary. The graphs, tables etc. are made. Photo of availability of fish fauna will be related the fishes were also taken for better to the flora of the region, rate of flow understanding. From the data of water, oxygen content etc. obtained Simpson's diversity index For diversity and density was calculated. Then abundance and analysis the study area is 300 meter of Frequency of fishes were also Thodupuzha River is divided into 3 calculated. parts and this is known as point Simpson’s index analysis. The 5 parts must be equal and must be marked with 3 poles. Simpson’s diversity index is a After observing the fauna of the river, simple mathematical measure that the fishes were collected with the help characterizes species diversity in a of cast net, Gill net, and Rode and community. Species diversity for the Line. Then they were transferred into a selected sites was calculated based on bucket. From each part 3 catches are the observed values using Simpson’s done and the fishes are counted and Diversity index. grouped and identified. The collected fish samples were preserved in a bottle Simpson’s index, containing 40% formalin solution and rest released back into the river. Where N = the total number of organisms of all species and n = the 35 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 total number of organisms of a observed and identified. The names of particular species. documented fishes are as follows: From which Simpson’s Name of the Species found in the Diversity Index, 1–D, is found. D study area ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 representing 1. Ablennes hians infinite diversity and 0 representing no diversity. 2. Anguilla bengalenesis Abundance 3 Aplocheilus panchax 4 Barilius canarensis Relative abundance is the percent composition of an organism of 5. Channa marulicus a particular kind relative to the total 6. Channa striata number of organisms in the area. The 7. Dawkinsia arulius abundance of a species compares the number of individuals of that species 8. Etroplus maculates with the total number of animals of all 9. Etroplus suratensis species in the study area. 10. Garra hugi Abundance = 11 .Garra surendranathanii 12. Haludaria fasciata 13. Mastacembelus armatus Observations 14. Mystus montanus Thodupuzha River is rich in 15. Oreochromis niloticus diversity of fish fauna. A total of 19 16. Pethia muvattupuzhaensis species were identified by using Fish base website by comparing with its 17. Puntius chola common names that is acquired from 18. Puntius mahecola fisher man. The fishes was collected, 19. Wallago attu Fig. 2. Images of the fish Species found from the study area Ablenes hians Anguilla bengalensis 36 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Aplocheilus panchax Barilius canarensis Channa marulius Channa striata Dawkinsia arulius Etroplus maculates Etroplus suratensis Garra hughi 39 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Garra surendranathanii Haludaria fasciata Mastacembelus armatus Mystus montanus Oreochromis nilot Pethia muvattupuzhaensis Puntius chola Puntius mahecola 38 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Wallago attu 3. Result and Discussion According to the monthly The present observation noticed that, distribution December shows high there are about 19 species were number of species. February shows documented from the 3 sites of the least number but there was a slight study area (Fig.2). Among the 19 species variation in the number of species identified the most common fish species obtained and the reason for this may was Puntius mahacola. The second due to the climate change. position was occupied by Etroplus The following figure/graph maculates and followed by Barilius shows the diversity of fishes obtained canarensis and Etroplus suratensis. The from the 3 sites with respect to species includes Mystus montanus, observing period (December to Channa striata, Channa marulius, and February) (Fig. 3-5). Anguilla bengalenesis shows less number from the study sites. Species Diversity- Site 1 Wallago atta Puntius mahecola Puntius chola Pethia muvattupuzhaensis Oreochromis niloticus Mystus montanus Mastacembelus armatus Haludaria fasciata Garra surendranathanii Garra hughi February Etrop suratensislus January Etroplus maculates December Name of species found speciesof Name Dawkinsia arulius Channa striata Channa marulius Barilius canarensis Aplocheilus panchax Anguilla bengalenesis Albennes hians 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 No. of species found Fig.3. Graph showing fish diversity of Site 1 39 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Species Diversity- Site 2 Wallago atta Puntius mahecola Puntius chola Pethia muvattupuzhaensis Oreochromis niloticus Mystus montanus Mastacembelus armatus Haludaria fasciata Garra surendranathanii Garra hughi February Etropsuratensislus Name of Species foundSpeciesof Name Etroplus maculates January Dawkinsia arulius December Channa striata Channa marulius Barilius canarensis Aplocheilus panchax Anguilla bengalenesis Albennes hians 0 10 20 30 40 50 No.

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