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 River, ,

Salu K. Sasi & Ambili T.R. Department of Zoology, Alphonsa College, Pala – 686574, , Kerala

Received: 18.08.2019 Abstract

Revised and Accepted: The present study was conducted to document the diversityof fishes in 23.08.2019 , Idukki District, Kerala. It is a tributary of 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. , 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 . 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. of Species Found

Fig. 4. Graph showing fish diversity of Site 2

40 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

Species Diversity- Site 3

Wallago atta

Puntius mahecola

Puntius chola

Pethia muvattupuzhaensis

Oreochromis niloticus

Mystus montanus

Mastacembelus armatus

Haludaria fasciata

Garra surendranathanii

Garra hughi February Etropsuratensislus January

Namre theof Species Found Etroplus maculates December 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.5. Graph showing fish diversity of Site 3

41 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

According to the Simpson’s 3 with index value of 0.94 and site 3 diversity index, there was a large with 0.938. Fig. 6 showing the diversity in the 3sites of the river. The Simpson’s diversity index comparison three sites shows approximately equal of 3 sites with month. diversity index among them site 2 and

SIMPSON'S DIVERSITY INDEX

DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY

0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94

0.939

0.938 0.938

0.936 0.936

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Fig.6. Simpson’s diversity index of fishes

By calculating abundance of species in Etroplus maculates shows equal the river, the Site 1 shows more abundance with Puntius mahecola. In abundant species Puntius mahecola site 2, Etroplus maculates shows with 11.02 and Etroplus maculates of abundance with 9.14 and Mystus 10.7. The less abundant species were montanus and Channa striata shows Mystus montanus of 2.33 and Anguilla least abundance (2.12 and 2.96). bengalenesis with 2.74 followed by Channa striata (2.5), Anguilla Channa striata and Channa marulius, bengalenesis (2.64), Channa marulius 2.82, 2.98 respectively. Puntius mahecola (2.72) and Mystus montanus (2.8) were was also the great abundant species of shows least abundance in site 3 (Fig. site 2 and 3 with 10.41 and 10.3 percent 7). respectively. In Site 3 the species

42 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

ABUNDANCE - SITE 1, SITE 2, SITE 3

Wallago atta

Puntius mahecola

Puntius chola

Pethia muvattupuzhaensis

Oreochromis niloticus

Mystus montanus

Mastacembelus armatus

Haludaria fasciata

Garra surendranathanii

Garra hughi Site 3 Site 2 Etrop suratensislus Site 1

Name of Species found Speciesof Name Etroplus maculates

Dawkinsia arulius

Channa striata

Channa marulius

Barilius canarensis

Aplocheilus panchax

Anguilla bengalenesis

Albennes hians

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Abundance

Fig.7. Graph showing the abundance of fishes in site1, site2 & site3 Puntius mahecola has abundant in the include Mystus montanus, Channa river, were, 3 sites shows great number striata , Anguilla bengalensis, Channa of this particular species. And Etroplus marulius are least in number and maculates in the second position. abundance. Following graph (Fig. 8- Barilius canarensis and Haludaria fasciata 10). shows the abundance of the fish also shows high abundance. Species in different sites.

43 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

Abundance- Site 1

Abundance

10.7 11.02

7.8 6.3 6.7 6.3 5.63 5.23 5.23 4.83 4.42 4.42 4.42 3.78 3.14 2.98 2.74 2.82 2.33

Fig.8. Graph showing the abundance of fishes in site1

Abundance- Site 2

Abundance

10.3 10.3

8.2 7.73 6.8 6.1 6.2 6.1 5.5 5 4.4 3.2 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.64 2.72 2.5 2.8

Fig.9. Graph showing the abundance of fishes in site2

44 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

Abundance- Site 3

Abundance

10.3 10.3

8.2 7.73 6.8 6.1 6.2 6.1 5.5 5 4.4 3.2 3.4 3.2 3.2 2.64 2.72 2.5 2.8

Fig.10. Graph showing the abundance of fishes in site3

The present investigation also When the river shows large observed the rare species Pethia diversity reason for the presence of muvattupuzhaensis from the present large diversity of fishes may be the study area. Beevi & Ramachandran following features. A large density of (2005) described Puntius fishes can be seen in Thodupuzha muvattupuzhaensis as a small elongate River and the reasons for this may be barb from the Muvattupuzha River. of the following features. The main The current occurrence of the species reason is that the river is free from is known to encompass the lower and pollution. If pollution is there it will be middle reaches of the Muvattupuzha very mild, the reason for that is River, including Ithipuzha and because the river flows through a Murinjapuzha tributaries, which village. So the rate of pollution is include my study area, and the lower comparatively less. The next reason reaches of River in Kerala may be the rate of oxygen (Zeena & Beevi 2011). Pethia concentration; it may high in the river. Muvattupuzhaensis show abundance of The water is flowing and not a stand 5.23%, 6.3%, and 6.8% for site 1, site 2 still model. The river had low and high and site 3 respectively. They show tide so the water moves. Moving water comparatively moderate diversity contain large amount of oxygen. among the species.

45 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48

The next reason can be because brood stock maintenance of fishes of of vegetation on river bank made it potential economic importance rich. This vegetation keeps the water (Bhakta and Bandyopadhyay 2008). cool and protect the fishes from extreme condition. But now many From the present study, it is unsettled points are arising in fishes clear that Thodupazha River is rich in diversity and density had decreased fish diversity. However, these rivers and reason is unknown. And some are facing a high degree of threat from people point out that reason for the sand mining and various decrease in number is the increased anthropogenic activities, and over number of houses in the bank of the fishing and proper management river. This leads to deposition of strategies should be implemented to sewage waste into water and it affect protect and conserve the existing the population of the river. Because of icthyofaunal wealth of our nation. the high density of fish people like to 4. Conclusion have fishes in their diet, and the increased consumption of fish and the The present investigation was pollution leads to the decrease in the documented 19 fish species from number of fish diversity in the river. different study sites of the present study area. Among these the species According to the local like Puntius mahecola is the most fishermen, many species of fishes, abundant species. The second position which were abundant in past years, was occupied by Etroplus maculates showed a decline in recent catches, and followed by Barilius canarensis due to destruction and degradation of and Etroplus suratensis. The species their habitat by ecological and man- includes Mystus montanus, Channa made interventions. The recent studies striata, Channa marulius, and Anguilla of Bhakta and Bandyopadhyay (2008), bengalenesis shows less number from Raghavan Rajeev et al. (2008), Swapna the study sites. The present (2009), and Palavai and Davidar (2009) investigation also observed the rare also indicated that habitat loss is the species Pethia muvattupuzhaensis from main cause of reduction in fish the present study area. While diversity. A few important analysing the diversity index, the three management plans that result from sites shows approximately equal this study for the conservation of fish diversity index. By calculating species could be included into the abundance of species in the river, the fishery policies of the Government, Site 1 shows more abundant species such as identification and listing of than site 2 and 3. According to the threatened and endangered species, monthly distribution December shows determination of population size and high number of species. While distribution, finding out the breeding February shows least number and behavior of threatened species, which there is also many threats that destruct is essential for both ex situ and in situ the fish diversity of the river and a conservation for captive breeding and proper precautions should taken by

46 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 the authority and also be conduct Endemic fish diversity of Western awareness classes for local people Ghats. NBFGR-NATP about the importance of the publication. National Bureau of conservation of water bodies and its Fish Genetic Resources. faunal and floral diversity for future Lucknow,. generation. Jameela Beevi, K.S. and 5. Acknowledgements Ramachandran, A. (2002). Potential ornamental fishes Expressing our gratitude towards the of Muvattupuzha River in head of the department of Zoology, District, Alphonsa College, Pala Kottayam for Kerala. In: Boopendranath, providing necessary facilities to carry M.R., Meena Kumari, B., out the present study. We are also Joseph, S., Pravin, P., and Edwin, L. (Eds); Riverine convey our sincere thanks to the fisher and Reservoir Fisheries of mans as well local inhabitants of the India. Society of Fisheries study area by providing their Technologists (India), valuable support to fulfil this piece of Cochin. work. Jameela Beevi, K.S. and 6. References Ramachandran, A. (2009). Checklist of freshwater fishes Ajithkumar, C.R., Biju, C.R. and Raju collected from Ernakulam Thomas, K. (2003). Fresh water District, Kerala, India. J. Threat. fish fauna and its distribution in Taxa, 1(9): 34-8. Kerala – A review. Limnological Association of Kerala, Christ Jayaprakas, V. and Nair, N.B. College, . (1981). maturation and spawing in Pearspot, Bhakta, J.N. and Bandyopadhyay, Etroplus suratensis. Proc. P.K. (2008). Fish diversity in Ind. Sci., 12: 23-26. Jayaram Freshwater Perennial Water K.C. (1981). Freshwater Bodies in East Midnapore fishes of India, A hand District of West Bengal, India. book. Zoological survey of Int. J. Environ Res., 2(3): 36-47. India, Culcutta.

Bijukumar A. and Sushama R. Karmakar, A.K., Das, A. and (2001). Diversity, Banerjee, P.K. (2008). Fish distribution, threats and fauna of Subarnarekha River. conservation of fishes of Zoological Survey of India, River Bharathapuzha. J. Threat. Taxa, 98:9-12. Kurup, B.M. (2002). River and streams of Kerala part of Gopi, K.C. (2000). Fresh water fishes Western Ghats spot of of Kerala state. In: Ponniah A.G. exceptional fish diversity. & A. Gopalakrishnan (Eds):

47 Devagiri Journal of Science 5(1), 33-48 Fisheries ofIndia. New Kerala, India. J. Bombay India Publishers, New Nat. Hist. Soc., 11: 24-28. Delhi. Ramachandran, A., Mini, S., Nelson, J.S.(2006). Fishes of the Pramod, P.K. and Beevi, World. John Wiley & Sons. Jameela, K.S. (2001). Fresh Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, water ornamental fish USA. resources of Kerala: with special emphasis on Palavai, V. and Davidar, P. conservation and (2009). A survey of management. Paper freshwater fishes of presented in Aquarama– Andaman Islands. J. 2nd World Conference on Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 16: Ornamental fish 37-42. Aquaculture, 31st May to 3rd June. 2001. Singapore. Prasanth Narayanan, S., Thapanjith, T. and Sarkar, L. and Banerjee, Beevi. Thomas, A.P. (2005). A (2000). Ichthyofauna of study on the Icthyofauna Damodar river system. of Aymanam Panchayath, Proceedings of the Zoological in Vembanad Wetland, Society of Calcutta. Kerala. Zoos’ Print J., 18: 27-34. Swapna, S. (2009). Fish diversity in Achenkovil River, Rajeev, Raghavan., Prasad, G., Kerala, India. J. Bombay Ali, Anwar, P.H. and Nat. Hist. Soc.34: 56-61. Pereira, B. (2008). Fish fauna of Chalakkudy Zeena, K.V. and Beevi, J.S. River, part of Western (2001). Fish diversity in Ghats biodiversity hotspot, Ithipuzha and Murinjapuzha, Kerala, India: patterns of Kerala, India. J. Bombay Nat. distribution, threats and Hist. Soc., 108(2): 27-38. conservation needs. Biodivers. Conservat., 22: 36-43.

Raju Thomas, Biju, C.R., and George, M. (2001). On the occurrence of Nemacheilus keralensis (Rita et al.) in Muvattupuzha river,

48