DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CYPRINIFORMES IN KOLODYNE RIVER BASIN OF MIZORAM, INDIA By S. Beihrosa, Department of Environmental Science A Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science of Mizoram University, Aizawl. Dedicated to my father S. Laitia (L), who passed away on 21st March, 2014. CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Diversity and distribution of Cypriniformes in Kolodyne River basin of Mizoram, India” submitted to Mizoram University for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by S. Beihrosa, research scholar in the Department of Environmental Science, is a record of original work carried out during the period from 2013- 2016 is under our guidance and supervision. This work has not been submitted elsewhere for any degree. (Prof. LALNUNTLUANGA) (Dr. LALRAMLIANA) Supervisor Joint Supervisor Department of Environmental Science Department of Zoology Mizoram University Pachhunga University College MIZORAM UNIVERSITY AIZAWL-796004 27th October, 2016 DECLARATION I, Mr. S. Beihrosa, hereby declare that the subject matter of this thesis entitled “Diversity and distribution of Cypriniformes in Kolodyne River basin of Mizoram, India” is the record of work done by me, that the contents of this thesis did not form basis of the award of any previous degree to me or to the best of my knowledge to anybody else, and that the thesis has not been submitted by me for any research degree in any other University/Institute. This is being submitted to the Mizoram University for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Environmental Science. (S. BEIHROSA) (Prof. LALNUNTLUANGA) (Prof. LALNUNTLUANGA) Head Department of Environmental Science Department of Environmental Science Mizoram University Mizoram University TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page number Acknowledgement i-ii List of figures iii List of tables iii List of acronyms iv Chapter 1: Introduction 1-18 Chapter 2: Review of Literature 19-31 Chapter 3: Study Area 32-36 Chapter 4: Methodology 37-39 Chapter 5: Results and Discussion 40-130 Chapter 6: Summary and Conclusion 131-134 References 135-179 Appendices Appendix I Comparative material for new species description 180-182 Appendix II List of publications 183 Appendix III List of papers presented in conference/symposium 183 Appendix IV List of conference/seminar/workshop attended 183-185 DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CYPRINIFORMES IN KOLODYNE RIVER BASIN OF MIZORAM, INDIA By S. Beihrosa, Department of Environmental Science An abstract submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science of Mizoram University, Aizawl. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My sincere thanks and gratitude goes to my Supervisor and HOD, Prof. Lalnuntluanga Department of Environmental Science, who helps and supported me throughout my whole thesis work. I would like to offer special thanks to my Joint Supervisor Dr. Lalramliana, whose constant support, guidance and untiring effort helps in the completion of my thesis work in time. I also extent my sincere thanks to the faculty members and non teaching staffs, Department of Environmental Science, for their support and encouragement throughout my research. I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Tawnenga, Principal, Pachhunga University College and Dr. Lalchhandama, HOD, Department of Zoology for permitting me to carry out research work in Research Centre, Pachhunga University College and providing the required facilities. I also thank the faculty members and non teaching staffs, Department of Zoology, Pachhunga University College for their support and encouragement which is vital for the completion of my thesis. My sincere thanks also goes to Mr. Lalhmangaiha Chawngthu, Ex-Principal, Government Serchhip College, Serchhip, for giving permission to carry out further studies and granting me leave according to my requirements. It is noteworthy to mention the help and support provided by my colleagues, Mr. N.B. Sachhei and Dr. C. Vanlalnghaka, Department of Zoology, Govt. Serchhip College, Serchhip. My sincere thanks also goes to Mr. Vanlalchanchinthahrilmawia, Assistant Professor, i Department of Mizo, Govt. Serchhip College, Serchhip, for his timely help and valuable support. The help and support provided by the local VC’s, YMA’s and MTP’s of each respective study area in giving permission to carry out research is deeply appreciated. I also thank Mr. Vanlalmalsawma for his untiring support and assistance in my field works. My deepest sense of gratitude also goes to my friends who offered a lot of help in their respective fields and make this research worthy namely, Dr. Samuel Lalronunga, Betsy Zodinpuii, Lalringngheti, P. B. Lalthanpuii, Lalawmawia Sailo, Denis V Lalhlimpuia, Vanlalhlimpuia and Dr. C. Malsawmtluangi (Women Scientist). Dated: 27th October, 2016 Place: Aizawl (S. BEIHROSA) ii List of figures Figure Page No. 3.1 Drainage map showing permanent sampling sites 36 5.1 Fishes of the Kolodyne drainage of Mizoram 83 5.2 Fishes of the Kolodyne drainage of Mizoram 84 5.3 Fishes of the Kolodyne drainage of Mizoram 85 5.4 Fishes of the Kolodyne drainage of Mizoram 86 5.5 Map showing the collection locality of Psilorhynchus khopai 92 5.6 Different views of Psilorhynchus khopai 94 5.7 Lateral and dorsal views of Psilorhynchus khopai live individual 95 5.8 Map showing the collection locality of Schistura andrewi 100 5.9 Different views of Schistura andrewi 102 5.10 Ventral view of head and digestive tract of Schistura andrewi 103 5.11 Family wise distribution of Cypriniformes (in %) 104 5.12 Genus wise distribution of Cypriniformes (in %) 104 5.13 Community similarity between Kolodyne River and its tributaries 123 5.14 IUCN Red list categories of the Cypriniformes fish species collected 123 List of tables Tables Page No. 3.1 List of sampling sites 35 5.1 Biometric data for Psilorhynchus khopai 93 5.2 Biometric data for Schistura andrewi 101 5.3 List of species collected during the survey 124-126 iii List of acronyms % : Percentage + : Plus / : Per = : Equal to > : Greater than < : Less than ° : Degree °C : Degree Celcius cm : Centimeter E : East eg : Example et al : And others HL : Head length IUCN : International Union for Conservation of Nature km : Kilometre MTP : Mara Thyutlia Py MZUBM : Mizoram University Biodiversity Museum N : North PUCMF : Pachhunga University College Museum of Fishes SL : Standard length VC : Village Council viz : Namely vs : Versus YMA : Young Mizo Association ZSI : Zoological Survey of India iv CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Fishes are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates which breathe by means of pharyngeal gills, propelling and balancing themselves by means of fins and there are about 20, 000 species known to inhabit water bodies of various descriptions (Jhingran, 1991). Each continent has its own distinctive freshwater fish fauna and distribution (Berra, 2001) which can be attributed to physical barrier and difference of temperature adaptability among various groups and among the different group of fishes. The bony fishes are one of the most diverse groups and well represented in the freshwaters and the total number of freshwater fishes including brackish water is estimated to be around 15, 000 species (Leveque et al., 2008). Nelson (1984) estimated the total number of fish to be 21, 723 species under 4, 044 genera, 445 families and 50 orders in the world and out of these, 8411 belongs to freshwater fishes and 11, 650 species belongs to marine fish. On the other hand Nelson (2006), however, estimates the total number of extant fish species to be closed to around 32, 500. Day (1889) recorded the presence of 1, 418 species of fish under 342 genera from the British India. The number of freshwater fish species is increasing and estimated to be between 9, 000-25, 000 (Cosgrove & Rijsberman, 2000). Freshwater fish species are the most species rich group among European vertebrates which includes 546 native species (Kotellat & Freyhof, 2007). Leveque et al. (2008) mentioned how the freshwater fish confinement to a particular drainage system reflects the imprint of past continental and climatic changes. 1.1 Order Cypriniformes Cypriniformes is the largest order of the freshwater fishes comprising 2, 422 species (Nelson, 1984) and the members shares osteology and musculature similarities with their geographical habitat ranging from tropical to temperate waters of Europe, Africa, Asia and North America (Talwar & Jhingran, 1991). The order Cypriniformes includes the carps, minnows, loaches and their relatives. It contains 5-6 families, over 320 genera, and more than 3, 250 species identified so far; and the 1 order is included in the superorder Ostariophysis (Fink & Fink, 1981). However, the number of families increased to 12 (Kotellat, 2013). Like other orders of the Ostariophysis, the Cypriniformes possess a Weberian apparatus i.e. the first four vertebrae called Ossicles are modified and connect the inner ear with the swim bladder which functions in transmitting sound vibration to auditory receptor in the brain (Greenwood et al., 1966; Rosen & Greenwood, 1970; Fink et al., 1984). Because of this, they can hear well in murky fresh water which gives them an advantage for survival, and even, may be one of the reasons why the Cypriniformes groups remain the dominant group. However, they differ from most of their relatives in having only a dorsal fin on their back; most other Ostariophysi have a small fleshy adipose fin behind