COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF FISH AND PRAWN SPECIES IN ATARAN RIVER, MON STATE

Naw Zar Chi Linn1, Than Than Soe2, Win Win Myint3

ABSTRACT The Ataran river, one of the tributaries of the Thanlwin river, was rich both freshwater and brackish fish and prawn species and contribute significantly to a numerous of ecosystem services for inland fisheries. The present research was done to evaluate the species composition and abundance of fish and prawn species along the Ataran river at fish landing sites of Naungbinseik, Ngabyama and Chaungnakwa from December, 2019 to March, 2020. In this research, a total of 47 fish species belonging to 27 families, 41 genera under 13 orders and seven prawn species from two genera of Palaemonidae were recorded and identified. Species numbers and abundance of fish and prawn were highly observed in December while those were lowly in March in all study areas. The highest fish species number was shown by Nyaungbinzeik area (41 species), followed by Chaungnakwa area (37 species) and Ngabyama area (35 species). Relative abundance of fish indicated eight species as very common, 15 species as common and 24 species as uncommon in the study areas. Of the 47 fish species recorded, one species Wallago attu has been assessed as Vulnerable and one endemic species Esomus altus (Fishbase,2017). A toad fish species, Allerbatrachus grunniens (locally called Nga-oak-phar) is for the first record from Ataran river, Mon State. The highest number of recorded prawn species was observed in Chaungnakwa followed by Naungbinzeik and Ngapyama. The highest composition and abundance of prawn species Macrobrachium rosenbergii was observed in all study areas and the lowest in M. malcolmsonii. Relative abundance of prawn indicated four species as very common, two species as common and one species as uncommon in the study areas. Key words: Ataran river, relative abundance, fish, prawn, species.

INTRODUCTION Myanmar has a long coast line of (2832) km with many rivers flowing into the extended, so there are a lot of prawn and shrimp fishery resources. In Myanmar, a total of 1107 species of fish (Fishbase, 2017) and 35 species of prawn (Sann Aung and Hla Htay,1986) were recorded. The tributaries of the Thanlwin river are also rich both freshwater and brackish prawn species and a distinctive region for inland fisheries. The inland artisanal fishery is one of the most important components of fishery sector in the study area (Than Than Soe, 2018). The Ataran river is one of the tributaries of the Thanlwin river. It arises by the confluence of the Zami river and Winyaw river at Chaungnakwa area in Mon State and discharges into the Gyine river near Mawlamyine at Thanlwin river mouth. The River is facing tidal intrusion and freshwater discharge so forming estuarine regions and habitats for variety of fresh and brackish fish and prawn faunas. Several fish species from Ataran river were traded as aquarium fish as Botia Kubotai, Parambassis pulcinella, Mictodevario kubotai and Caelatoglanis zonatus (http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/ Ataran river). The Ataran river is a vital role for lives livelihood of local populace. Fish and prawn fauna of the Ataran river is very important not only for consumption but also for incomes. They are fished by artisanal units and exploited by traditional gears. Fishery resources are sent to neighboring areas and townships for local consumption Although fishery resources of the Ataran river have been exploited for many years, there is little information concerned with these resources. Khin Hla Myint (1997) identified and described 51 species of fish of the Ataran river from Nyaungbinzeik to

1 Dr. Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Mawlamyine University 2 Dr. Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Mawlamyine University 3 Dr. Professor & Head, Department of Zoology Mawlamyine University,

1 Chaungnakwa. Than Than Soe (2012) recorded 17 species of Macrorachium species in the Thanlwin river and adjacent waters were identified. Than Than Soe (2018) also reported one species of Leptocarpus: 14 species of Macrorachium belonging to two genera and one family were recorded in the Thanlwin river and its tributaries as Gyine river and Donthami River. Thus, the present work is aimed to conduct as follow: - to identify the species level of fish and prawn fauna of the Ataran river - to assess fish and prawn composition and abundance from the study areas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Sample collections were carried out at the landing sites of Nyaungbinzeik, Ngabyama and Chaungnakwa which areas are located along the Riverside of the Ataran river. It is generally situated between 16°17´ - 16° 48´ north latitudes and 97°67´ - 97°96´ East Longitudes (Fig.1). The present study was carried out from December, 2019 to March, 2020. Specimens were collected twice (spring tide and neap tide) per month from the local fishermen using bag-net (Kyar-pa-zat), net-fence (la-tar), trammel net (thone-htat-hmaw) at the study areas. The collected samples were recorded and preserved with 10% of formaldehyde solution for future study. The most important morphological characteristics of specimens were observed and identified according to Day (1878), Talwar and Jhingram (1991), Jayaram (2013), Holthuis (1950 and 1980), George (1966), De Bruin et.al (1994), Chan (1998) and Cai and Ng (2002), Hla Phone (2005) and Than Than Soe (2012). Local names of fishes and prawns were recorded according to local fisherfolks. Valid names and IUCN Redlist Status were checked by Fishbase (2017). Fish and prawn samples were sorted out and each category was counted. The percentage composition and monthly abundance of prawns was estimated base on catch per trip. Relative abundance of fish and prawn were calculated by method of Bisht et al. (2004). No .of individuals of species Relative abundance = Totalno. of individuals of all the species The average relative abundance was categorized as by method of Bisht et al. (2004). uC = (uncommon) having relative abundance less than 0.0100 C = (common) having relative abundance of 0.0100 and above but less than 0.0500 vC = (very common) having relative abundance of 0.500 and above

2 97º 39' 97º 45' 97º 51' 97º 57'

Thanlwin river Gyine river N 16º 33'

Nyaungbinzeik Mawlamyine 16º 27'

Kyaikmaraw Ngabyma 16º 21'

16º 15' Chungnakwa

f tt a l o

u

r r w n W f m

i

y G o M a

v

16º 09'

i

a Study sites e 30 km Zami river

Fig.1 Map showing the study areas

RESULTS

Species composition and relative abundance of prawn and fish species in Nyaungbinzeik area, Ngabyama area and Chaungnakwa area which are situated along the Ataran river was conducted from December, 2019 to March, 2020. During the four months study period, a total (2435 individuals) representing of 47 fish species belonging to 27 families, 41 genera under 13 orders (Table 1). A total of (9521 individuals) of seven prawn species from two genera of Palaemonidae (Table 2).

Species composition and relative abundance of recorded fish species in Orders

Among the 13 orders concerned in the present work, the order Siluriformes was represented with 11 species (23.40%) is the highest composition fish species followed by ( n= 9; 19.15%), (n= 7; 14.89%), (n= 5;10.64%), Pleuronectiformes (n= 3; 6.38%), and the orders: Anguilliformes, , Anabantiformes, constituted (n=2; 4.26%) and the lowest in each (2.13%) order , Batrachoidiformes, and respectively (Table 1). With regard to the different study areas, the total number of all fish species (n=2435) was found to be greater in Chaungnakwa (n=1245) followed by Ngabyama (n= 768) and the least was in Nyaungbinzeik with (n= 422) (Table 4) In the present study, the relative abundance of fish species were calculated and shown in (Table 4) Fish species is very rich in Nyaungbinzeik (total number of 41 species), followed by Chaungnakwa (total number of 37 species), 31 species were found in Ngabyama. In the case of relative abundance of Nyaungbinzeik, five species of fish (A.mola, E. altus. X. cancila and O.pama P.paradiseus ) were taken very common, 27 species as common and 19 species as uncommon. Relative abundance of fish in Ngabyama, seven species of fish (P. chola,

3 A.mola, E. altus, X. cancila , O.binaculatus and G.giuris) were taken very common, nine species as common and 17 species as uncommon. Relative abundance of fish in Chaungnakwa, eight species of fish (O. feae, P. chola, A.mola, E. altus, O.binaculatus X. cancila, G.giuris and M.aral ) were taken very common, seven species as common and 22 species as uncommon. Species composition and relative abundance of recorded prawn species During the study period, a total (9521 individuals) representing of seven prawn species under family Palaemonidae of two genera was recorded. Of which, six Macrobrachium species, one Leptocarpus and various fish species contributed to the artisanal fishery. Seven prawn species except M. malcolmsonii were caught throughout the study period and found in Nyaungbinzeik area, Chaungnakwa area while M. malcolmsonii not occurred in the catches of Ngabyama area. Despite having a higher overall percentage composition than the other species in three difference study areas, Macrobrachium rosenbergii composed of (29.79%) followed Leptocarpus fluminicola composed of (27.26%) , M. lanchesteri (14.82%) M .mirabile (11.24%), M. neglectum (8.63%), and (9.50%), M. lanatum (7.95%), and M. malcolmsonii (0.32%) and the species was formed the bulk of fishery throughout the study period. In the present study, the total number of all prawn species (n=9521) was found to be greater in Chaungnakwa (n=5010; 52.62%) followed by Nyaungbinzeik (n= 2290; 24.04%) and the least was in Ngabyama with (n=2222; 23.34%) (Table 2). In the present study, the relative abundance of prawn species was calculated and shown in (Table 5). Prawn species is richer in Chaungnakwa and Nyaungbinzeik (total number of 7 species in each), six species were found in Ngabyama. In the case of relative abundance of Nyaungbinzeik, four species of prawn were taken very common, two species (M. neglectum and M. lanatum) as common and one species (M. malcolmsonii ) as uncommon. Relative abundance of prawn in Ngabyama, all six prawn species were taken very common. Relative abundance of prawn in Chaungnakwa, five species were taken very common, one species (M.mirabile) as common and one species (M. malcolmsonii) as uncommon. During the study period, M. malcolmsonii was observed as uncommon species in both Chaungnakwa Nyaungbinzeik.

Table 1. Species composition of fish species in Orders from December, 2019 to March, 2020 Sr.no Order Family Species % 1 Osteoglossiformes 1 1 1 2.13 2 Anguilliformes 2 2 2 4.26 3 Clupeiformes 2 2 2 4.26 4 Cypriniformes 1 7 9 19.15 5 Siluriformes 5 9 11 23.40 6 Batrachoidiformes 1 1 1 2.13 7 Cyprinodontiformes 1 1 1 2.13 8 Scorpaeniformes 1 1 1 2.13 9 Perciformes 6 7 7 14.89 10 Gobiiformes 2 5 5 10.64 11 Anabantiformes 2 2 2 4.26 12 Synbranchiformes 1 1 2 4.26 13 Pleuronectiformes 2 2 3 6.38 Total 27 41 47 100.00

4 Table 2. Total count of number and percentage composition of prawn in the study area

number of prawns and % Total Percentage number of composition all species (%) Species Naungbinseik Ngabyama Chaungnakwa

number % number % number %

L. fluminicola 570 24.86 526 23.67 1500 29.94 2595 27.26

M.lanchesteri 259 11.31 358 16.11 794 15.85 1411 14.82

M.lanatum 62 2.7 268 12.06 427 8.52 757 7.95

M.malcolmsonii 5 0.22 0 0.00 25 0.50 30 0.32

M.mirabile 640 27.96 270 12.15 160 3.19 1070 11.24

M. neglectum 62 2.7 231 10.40 529 10.56 822 8.63

M.rosenbergii 692 30.23 569 25.61 1575 31.44 2836 29.79

Total 2290 100 2222 100 5010 100 9521 100

Table 3. List of recorded species and comparison of fish and prawn species composition from each study area along with its IUCN Status (2020)

IUCN Sr.no Order Family Species Nyaungbinzeik Ngabyama Chaungnakwa RedList 1 Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae Notopterus notopterus + + + LC 2 Anguilliformes Muraenidae Gymnothorax tile + + + LC 3 Ophichthidae Pisodonophis boro + + + N E 4 Clupeiformes Clupeidae Hilsa ilisha + - - LC 5 Engraulididae Setipinna wheeleri + - - N E 6 Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo catla + + + LC 7 L.calbasu + + + LC 8 L.rohita + + + LC 9 Osteobrama belangeri + + + NT 10 O. feae - + + LC 11 Puntius chola - + + N E 12 Amblypharyngodon mola + + + LC 13 Esomus altus + + + LC 14 Salmostoma sladoni + + + LC 15 Siluriformes Bagridae Hemibagrus - + + LC microphthalmus 16 Mystus gulio + + + LC 17 M. pulcher + + + LC 18 Sperata aor + - + LC 19 Siluridae Ompok bimaculatus + + + NT 20 O.pabo + + + NT 21 Wallago attu + + + VU 22 Schilbeidae Pachypterus atherinoides + + + LC 23 Siluriformes Pangasiidae Pangasiu pangasius + - - LC 24 Clariidae Clarias batrachus - + + LC 25 Arridae Arius maculatus + - - N E

5 26 Batrachoidiformes Allenbatrachus grunniens + - - N E 27 Cyprinodontiforme Belonidae Xenentodon cancila + + + LC s 28 Scorpaeniformes Platycephalidae Platycephalus indicus + + + LC 29 Perciformes Latidae Lates calcarifer + - - LC 30 Teraponidae Terapon jarbua + - - LC 31 Sillaginidae Sillaginopsis panijus + - - LC 32 Sciaenidae Johnius coitor + - - LC 33 Otolithoides pama + + + N E 34 Scatophagidae Scatophagus argus + - - LC 35 Polynemidae Polynemus paradiseus + + + LC 36 Gobiiformes Odontamblyopus + - - N E rubicundus 37 vagina + + + N E 38 Parapocryptes serperaster + + + N E 39 Pseudapocryptes + + + LC elongatus 40 Glossogobius giuris + + + LC 41 Anabantiformes Anabantidae Anabus testudineus - + + LC 42 Channidae striatus - + + LC 43 Synbranchiformes Mastacembelida Macrognathus aral + + + LC e 44 M.zebrinus + + + LC 45 Pleuronectiformes Cynoglossidae Cynoglossus bilineatus + + + N E 46 Pleuronectiformes Cynoglossidae Cynoglossus lingua + + + N E 47 Soleidae Brachirus orientalis + - + N E Total no. of fish species 41 31 37 48 Palaemonidae Leptocarpus L. fluminicola + + + LC 49 Macrobrachium M. lanatum + + + LC 50 M. lanchesteri + + + LC 51 M. malcolmsonii + - + LC 52 M. mirabile + + + LC 53 M. neglectum + + + LC 54 M. rosenbergii + + + LC Total no. of prawn species 7 6 7 VU = Vulnerable, NE = Near Threatened, LC = Least Concern and NE = Not Evaluated + indicates present; - indicate absent Table 4. Abundance and Relative abundance of fish species recorded from December 2019 to March, 2020

6 vC = very common; C = common; uC = uncommon; (- )= no catch

Table 5. Abundance and Relative abundance of prawn species recorded from December 2019 to March, 2020

vC = very common; C = common; uC = uncommon; (- )= no catch

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Notopterus notopterus Hilsa ilisha Setipinna wheeleri

Labeo calbasu Osteobrama feae Hemibagrus microphthalmus

Sperata aor Ompok bimaculatus Ompok pabo

Wallago attu Allenbatrachus grunniens Xenentodon cancila

Lates calcarifer Otolithoides pama Scatophagus argus

Plate 1. Recorded some fish species from study areas

Polynemus paradiseus Glossogobius giuris Macrognathus aral

Macrognathus .zebrinus Cynoglossus bilineatus Brachirus orientalis

Plate 1. Cont: Recorded some fish species from study areas

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Leptocarpus fluminicola Macrobrachium lanchesteri Macrobrachium lanatum

Macrobrachium malcolmsonii Macrobrachium mirabile Macrobrachium neglectum

Macrobrachium rosenbergii Plate 2. Recorded prawn species from study areas

Discussion

During the study period, a total number of 47 fish species belonging to 41 genera of 27 families under 13 orders were recorded (Table 1). The highest species number was shown by Nyaungbinzeik area (41 species), followed by Chaungnakwa area with 37 species and Ngabyama area with 35 species. Khin Hla Myint (1997) also stated that the study area between Nyaungbinzeik and Chaungnakwa assumed as the intermediate zone from an estuarine to freshwater habitat, she had recorded the varieties of the fish fauna. She also mentioned that the most divese fish speceis occurrence was found in Nyaungbinzeik because its contact with the mouth of Thanlwin river and also helps as estuaries environment. The present study also agreed with above author. Among the three study areas, the highest individual number (1245) was recorded from Chaungnakwa area and the lowest number (422) was observed from Nyaungbinzeik area. The fish species belonging to the orders Siluriformes and Cypriniformes were found to be the most highest observed species number during the study. The most species of these groups are occupy the range of freshwater and saline habitats (Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). We also observed some brackish fish families that are found in the most upper part of Ataran river at Chaungnakwa area, such as Sciaenidae, Oxudercidae, Cynoglossidae for example. Ataran is one of the tributaries of the Thanlwin river and contribute significantly to a numerous of ecosystem services for fish species. It may also provide spawning ground for migratory fish such Hilsa ilisa, Otolithoides pama,and Polynemus paradiseus. Younger fishes Hilsa may breed in the tidal zone of Rivers during the southwest monsoon, with a shorter season from January to February or March (Whitehead, 1985). Relative abundance of fish indicated eight species as very common, 15 species as common and 24 species as uncommon in the study area.

9 Apart from fish fauna, during the study period, a total number of seven species belonging to two genera of Palaemonidae were recorded (Table 1). The species were rich in Chaungnakwa area and Nyaungbinzeik while, six species of prawn in Ngabyama. In the present study, Macrobrachium rosenbergii was most dominant species than the small and less economically importance prawn species. The observation was agreed with Than Than Soe (2018) who reported that Macrobrachium rosenbergii was most abundant species constituted (38.9%) and followed by Miscellanneous Macrobrachium species namely M.mirabile, M. neglectum, M. dayanum and M. Lanceifrons, M. lanatum, M. inflatum and M. Lamarrei, M. Lanchesteri, M. palaemonoides, Leptocarpus fluminicola contributed to 21.7% of total catch in Thanlwin river and its tributaries. The pattern of species composition and abundance of Macrobranchium species was different from one study area to others along the Ataran river. The observation was agreed with Than Than Soe (2018) who reported that the catch composition and abundance of Macrobranchium species in the Thanlwin river and adjacent waters were varied depending on seasonality and areas. Of the 47 fish species recorded in the Ataran river, one species Wallago attu has been assessed in IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, three as Near Threatened, 31 as Least Concern and 12 as Not Evaluated and all prawn species recorded in the Ataran river, has been assessed in IUCN Red List as Least Concern (IUCN 2020) (Table 3) According to the fishbase (2017) , the 58 freshwater fish species was endemic species in Myanmar and the present study observed one endemic species Esomus altus in the survey area. In the present study, Allerbatrachus grunniens, a toad fish species (locally called Nga-oak-phar) for the first record from Atran River, Mon State. The specimen was collected from Nyaungbinzeik area of Atran River mouth in January, 2020. Fish and prawn resources were generally marketed fresh, frozen and sent to Mawlamyine, Mudon, Yangon and neighboring countries. They supplied not only for local consumption but also for foreign earning. According to local fishermen says, fish and prawn stock has apparently decreased year after year in the study area during the study period. Than Than Soe (2012) reported the production rate of M. rosenbergii was lower in 2010-2011 than that in 2009-2010 at Dawland and Chungnakwa landings probably because of many environmental parameters especially rainfall, who reported that prawn fishery absolutely depend on the South-west monsoon rain. Heavy rain (from June to August) may undesirable effect on prawn fisheries and may lead to less abundance of prawns. In the post monsoon period (October to January), it was highly abundant in all landings. According to questionnaires, the significant factor that leads to the decline of prawn stock in the study area is overfishing. Moreover, stocks of fish and prawn species in the study areas were decline because of shrinkage of nursery grounds of this species by human habitations. Extension of fishing efforts, with little regards for the natural recruitment capacity of prawns and fish may cause the decline and deterioration of fishery resources (King Maung Soe 2008). In the present observation, basic information of fish and prawn population in the Ataran river were reported for fisheries management. As exploitation increase, the natural fish and prawn fishery resources were noticeably decreased year after year so that management measure is needed to improve the present condition. It is suggested that fishery researches of prawns in the study area should be undertaken. Only such research works can provide the ways and means for conservation and management of valuable natural resources of fish and prawn for long term usage should make.

10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Dr Aung Myat Kyaw Sein, Rector of Mawlamyine University and Dr San San Aye, Pro-rector of Mawlamyine University for their permission to carry out this project. We special thanks to Professor Dr Win Win Myint, Head of Zoology Department, Mawlamyine University for her valuable advices and encouragement. Thank are also extended to Dr Win Win Myint, Professor, Zoology Department, Mawlamyine University, for her helpful suggestions and comments.

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11 Khin Hla Myint .1997. Fishing Implements and Fishes of the Ataran river from Nyaungbinseik to Chaungnakwa Area. Unpublished M.s.c Dissertation. Department of Zoology, University of Mawlamyine. Khin Maung Soe 2008. Trend of development of Myanmar fisheries: with references: to Japan experiences. Feb. VRF. Series. 44: 2-13. New, M.B. 2002. Farming freshwater prawns. A manual for the culture of the giant River prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). FAO Fish. Tech. Paper. (428): 433 pp. Rabanal, H.R. and Soesanto, V. 1985. The world fishery and culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii and related prawn species. Philippine Fish Farmers Technical Assistance Foundation, Inc., Sann Aung and Hla Htay 1986. Marine fishes, prawns, shrimp and lobsters of Burma collected from Trawling surveys. Peoples pearl and fisheries corporation Rangoon. Talwar,P.K. and Jhingram.A.G. 1991. In Land fishes of India and Adjacent Countries. Vol.I and II. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. PVT.LTD.Calcutta. Than Than Soe .2012. Biology of prawn and shrimp populations in the Thanlwin river mouth and Adjacent coastal water. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation. Department of Marine Science, University of Mawlamyine. Than Than Soe .2012. Species composition and abundance of prawn in the tributaries of the Thanlwin river. Whitehead,P.J.P., 1985. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol.7.Clupeoid fishes of the world (suborder Clupeoidei). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the herrings, sardines, pilchards, sprats, shads, anchovies and wolf-herrings. FAO Fish. Synop.125(7/1): 1-303. Rome: FAO. (Ref.188)

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