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THE ASIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE DOI : 10.15740/HAS/TAJAS/9.2/124-128 AJAS Volume 9 | Issue 2 | Dec., 2014 | 124–128 Visit us | www.researchjournal.co.in  e ISSN–0976–8963

RESEARCH ARTICLE...... Fish diversity and conservation of fishery resources of the river Pilasalunki, Phulbani district

D. SATAPATHY AND S.K. MISRA

ABSTRACT...... The study of fish diversity of the river Pilasalunki situated in Phulbani distict, Odisha was attempted during 2012. A total of 23 fish species belonging to 9 families were recorded. Out of the recorded species, 35 per cent are enlisted as vulnerable, 52 per cent as lower risk near threatened category. Maximum number of fish species were collected from slow flow site (31.6%) followed by silty sand beds (17.6%), deep water zone (15.8%), gravel habitat (15.8%), fast flow zone(10.5%) and least in shallow water zone. Shannon diversity index (H’) fluctuated from 0.29 to 0.93, Simpson dominance index ranged from 0.14 to 0.52 and Margalef richness fluctuated from 1.38 to 9.65. Bray Curtis cluster analysis recorded 100 per cent similarities within Wallago attu, Labeo dyochilus and Nemacheilus botia (sub cluster-I), Puntius sarana, P. Sophore, and cavasius (sub cluster-II), Glosogobius giuris and Mastacembalus armatus (sub cluster-III). Correspondence analysis indicated Nemacheilus botia, Labeo dyochilus, Heteropneustes fossilis, Wallago attu, Cirrhinus reba, Glosogobius giuris, Mastacembalus armatus and Mystus cavasius, Channa gachua, Puntius sophore and Puntius Author for Corresponding - sarana congregated distantly from origin suggesting their stock enhancement through conservation measures. D. SATAPATHY College of Fisheries (O.U.A.T.), KEY WORDS...... Fish diversity, Shannon's diversity index, Bray Curtis similarity BERHAMPUR (ODISHA) Email: [email protected] HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE - Satapathy, D. and Misra, S.K. (2014). Fish diversity and conservation of fishery See end of the article for resources of the river Pilasalunki, Phulbani district. Asian J. Animal Sci., 9(2) : 124–128. Coopted authors’ ARTICLE CHRONICLE - Received : 04.06.2014; Revised : 21.10.2014; Accepted : 06.11.2014

INTRODUCTION...... Arunachalam, (2000), Chao and Shen (2003), Bakawale and The fish assemblage and diversity indices reflect on the Kanhere (2006), Das and Chakrabarty (2007), Sarkar et al. environmental and ecological conditions of the river system (2008), Yisa et al. (2011), Pallavi and Singh (2013), Sunita and and are influenced by , water abstraction, Kanhere (2013) studied on assemblage structure, distribution pollution, and fishing practices. The adverse effects of such pattern, diversity index of fish fauna in different water bodies, activities have resulted in alteration of structure and function the information on these aspects in the river Pilasalunki is not of biota of most of the stream and rivers in the country. Fishes available. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study the are the most threatened group because of sensitivity to diversity indices and community structure of fish fauna in quantitative and qualitative alteration for which, the fish this river to suggest suitable measures for its conservation. diversity is declining faster in past 30 years. The understanding of biodiversity and environmental qualities of RESEARCH METHODS...... any ecosystems is essential to formulate suitable conservation The present work was carried out during the year 2012 measures for its sustenance. Though several authors in the river Pilasalunki in Phulbani district, Odisha. Six sampling

HIND INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY D. SATAPATHY AND S.K. MISRA stations (each having 50 m x 20 m = 1000 m2) were selected are presented in Table 2. Shannon-Weiner diversity index, along the downstream of the river covering a distance of 5.0 hierarchical clustering and correspondence analysis were km. Sampling was carried out on monthly interval with the calculated using Bio-Pro- version 2, software to generate a help of cast nets of 10 mm mesh size employing twenty throws dendrogram (Fig. 2) to ascertain percentage of similarities from each site limiting to an effort of 1.0 hr in each station. among fish species and their corresponding distance from Immediately after harvest, the fishes were counted; the origin. morphometric observations were taken and were preserved in 5 per cent formalin solution for further analysis. The relative RESEARCH FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS...... abundance of each species was calculated as (ai / A) 100 per The results obtained from the present investigation are cent, where, ‘ai’ is the number of individuals caught in the ‘i summarized below : th’ species and ‘A’ is the total number of individuals collected during a sampling period (Table 1). Margalef’s richness index, Qualitative and quantitative analysis : was used to measure the species richness by using formula, A total of 23 fish species belonging to 9 families were D = S-1/ ln N; where ‘S’ is total species and ‘N’ is total collected from the river during 2012 (Table 1). Family individuals of a sample. The Simpson’s Index of Dominance contributed 8.7 per cent of fish species representing Mystus (D) was measured to determine the dominance of fish in a bleekari, Mystus cavasius, family Channidae contributed 17.4 season and or sites. This index was determined by using the per cent representing Channa gachua, Chana marulius, 2 following formula, D =  (ni/N) , where ‘ni’ is number of Channa punctata and Channa striata, family Cyprinidae individuals of species ‘i’ and ‘N’ is the total number of all contributed 47.8 per cent representing Amblypharyngodon species of a sample in one site. The results of diversity indices

Table 1 : Fishes of the river Pilasalunki with their relative abundance (%) and status in different sites (VU-Vulnerable, EN- Endangered, LRNT-Low Risk Near Threatened and LC-Least concerned, LRLC- Low Risk Least Concerned) Sampling stations Scientific names Fast flow Slow flow Shallow Deep Gravel Salty sand IUCN status River status Fam: Bagridae Mystus bleekari 0 0 0 5.3 3.5 0 VU Frequent Mystus cavasius 0 1.8 0 0 0 0 LRNT Occasional Fam: Channiidae Channa gachua 0 3.5 0 0 0 0 LRNT Frequent Chana marulius 0 3.5 0 0 0 5.3 VU Frequent Channa punctata 0 0 0 1.8 0 1.8 LRNT Frequent Channa striata 0 0 0 1.8 0 0 LRNT Frequent Fam:Clupeidae Gudusia chapra 0 1.8 3.5 0 0 0 VU Frequent Fam: Cobitidae Nemacheilus botia 0 0 0 0 3.5 0 LC Frequent Fam:Cyprinidae Amblypharyngodon mola 0 0 5.3 0 0 1.8 LRLC Frequent Cirrhinus reba 0 0 0 0 0 1.8 VU Frequent Labeo calbasu 0 1.8 0 1.8 0 0 LRNT Frequent Labeo dyochilus 0 0 0 0 3.5 0 LRNT Common Puntius chola 0 3.5 0 1.8 0 0 VU Occasional Puntius gelius 5.3 8.8 0 0 0 0 LRNT Occasional Puntius sophore 0 1.8 0 0 0 0 LRNT Common Puntius ticto 0 3.5 0 3.5 0 0 LRNT Frequent Puntius sarana 0 1.8 0 0 0 0 VU Common Rasbora daniconius 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 LRNT Frequent Tor khudree 1.8 0 0 0 0 0 EN Rare Fam: Gobiidae Glosogobius giuris 0 0 0 0 0 3.5 LRNT Frequent Fam: Heteropnustidae Heteropneustes 0 0 0 0 1.8 0 VU Frequent fossilis Fam: Mastacembelidae Mastacembalus 0 0 0 0 0 3.5 VU Common armatus Fam: Siluridae Wallago attu 0 0 0 0 3.5 0 LRNT Frequent Total: 10.5 31.6 8.7 15.8 15.8 17.6

Asian. J. Animal Sci., 9(2), Dec., 2014 : 124-128 125 Hind Institute of Science and Technology FISH DIVERSITY & CONSERVATION OF FISHERY RESOURCES OF THE RIVER PILASALUNKI mola, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo calbasu, Labeo dyochilus, Month wise total composition of fish species was Puntius chola, Puntius gelius, Puntius sophore, Puntius ticto, recorded as 7.6 per cent, 7.0 per cent, 6.1 per cent, 4.3 per Puntius sarana, Rasbora daniconius and Tor khudree and cent, 4.6 per cent, 7.3 per cent, 10.6 per cent, 11.9 per cent, the other 6 families i.e. Clupidae, Cobitidae, Gobiidae, 14.6 per cent, 11.3 per cent, 7.6 per cent and 7.6 per cent in Heteropneustidae, Mastacembelidae and Siluridae contributed the month of January, February, March, April, May, June, single species each representing Gudusia chapra, July, September, October, November and December, Glosogobius giuris, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mastacembalus respectively indicating significant variation (P< 0.05) within armatus and Wallago attu, respectively (Fig. 1). Out of these species and months. Most of the species were found 23 fish spp 35.0 per cent of fishes are already enlisted as common in summer season (January, February, March, vulnerable (VU) and 52 per cent enlisted as Lower Risk Near April, May), rainy season (June, July, August) and winter Threatened (LRNT) category. Tor khudree, the endangered season (September, October, November, December) seasons (EN) one is rarely available in the river; Nemacheilus botia at varied densities excepting Tor khudree and Nemacheilus and Amblypharyngodon mola enlisted under Least Concerned boti. Tor khudree marked its appearance in rainy season (LC) and Low Risk Least Concerned (LRLC) category, only whereas Nemacheilus botia occurred in summer respectively comprised 4.3 per cent each in the river. season at varied densities. The site wise percentage composition of different species indicated a variation from Mastacembelidae,1 nil to 8.7 per cent. Puntius gelius recorded maximum 1 composition at 5.2 per cent and 8.7 per cent in fast flow and slow flow sites. Most of the species recorded abundance between 3.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent only. Higher abundance of fish species were recorded in slow flow sites (31.8%) followed by silty sand (17.6%), deep and gravel (15.8%) and shallow zones (8.7%). Quantitative analysis of fish data collected during 11 sampling in each month fluctuated from 14 nos/1000m2 (April) to 48 nos/1000m2 (September) weighing between 80.0g and 270 g indicating a poor yield of the river varying between 0.8 kg/ha and 2.18 kg/ha only. Relatively more quantity fish were caught during winter season (204 g/1000m2) followed by Fig. 1 : Number of fish species representing from families of monsoon (178 g/1000m2) and summer season (110 g/1000m2). the river Pilasalunki Accordingly, the yield of fish in the river was found maximum during winter (2.0 kg/ha) followed by monsoon (1.7 kg/ha) Habitat wise distribution (Table 1) of fish species in the and summer season (1.1 kg/ha). It could be due to entry of river indicated maximum number of availability of fishes in juveniles and other fishes from adjacent streams into the slow flow sites (31.6%) followed by silty sand beds (17.6%), river and also might be due to breeding of fishes in the river. deep water zones (15.8%), gravel habitats (15.8%), fast flow Further, the fishing pressure i.e. CPUE in rainy season is zones (10.5%) and least in shallow water zones (8.7%) comparatively less than winter. The river was more representing 10, 6, 6, 5,3 and 2 numbers of species ( richness) productive in winter months due to growth of plankton in each habitat, respectively. ANOVA test indicated no community, serving as food of fish, might have promoted the significant variation within these sites and fish species as growth of fish. At the same time, the fishing pressure increased well (P > 0.05). Most of the species exhibited habitat preference in winter resulting over exploitation for which less catch was limiting to one or two habitats only and slow flow habitat recorded in subsequent months. marked greater representations having Puntius gelius recorded maximum composition (8.8%) followed by Channa marulius Fish diversity : (5.3%) in silty sand habitat. However, Nemacheilus botia, Diversity indices are mathematical functions that combine Labeo dyochilus, Heteropneustes fossilis and Wallago attu richness and evenness of the sample in a single measure. showed preference to gravel bed habitat because of their Usually, both Shannon and Simpson diversity indices feeding behaviour. It was observed that the river bed is often increase as richness increases for a given pattern of dredged for making water harvesting structures at some places. evenness, but they do not always rank communities in the This might have disturbed the habitat of small, bottom-dwelling same order. Simpson diversity is less sensitive to richness fishes limiting their movements and thereby making them more and more sensitive to evenness than Shannon diversity. In susceptible to the effects of dredging. the present study, Shannon diversity recorded fluctuation

126 Asian. J. Animal Sci., 9(2), Dec., 2014 : 124-128 Hind Institute of Science and Technology D. SATAPATHY AND S.K. MISRA between 0.96 (April) and 1.29 (August) at an average of armatus). These sub clusters are linked with Heteropneustes 1.14 while Simpson index fluctuated from 0.002 (September) fossilis, Channa gachua and Cirrhinus reba at 66.6 per cent to 0.12 (April) at an average of 0.08 indicating a negative similarities. Puntius ticto and P. chola recorded similarities of relation between them (-0.84). Diversity values of Simpson 85.5 per cent while Gudusia chapra; Amblypharyngodon mola and Shannon’s indices being < 0.6 determine the lower level had 56.9 per cent similarities. These sub clusters joined with boundary bound of river habitat. Most of the values of other species to form clusters between 22.1 per cent and 39.9 Simpson index and a few values of Shannon’s index below per cent similarities. Transforming the numerical information 0.6 suggest a stressogeneous condition of habitat for fish. through correspondence analysis into a graphical display Margalef richness sowed fluctuation between 3.41 (April) showing row and column co-ordinates in a single plot and the and 5.46 (August) at an average of 4.37 per cent and distance from origin, along the gradient indicated that the recorded a positive correlation with Shannon (0.94) and species like Puntius ticto, Labeo calbasu, Channa striata, negative correlation (-0.70) with Simpson diversity Puntius chola, Channa punctata, Channa gachua, Mystus indicating a uneven distribution. Both Shannon and cavasius, Puntius sophore, Puntius sarana and Chana Margalef indices were positively correlated with the number marulius were closer to origin than other fish species. of species and number of individuals while Simpson index However, fish species occupying distant place from origin marked negative correlation to both. While considering could form better association suggesting possibilities of stock different zones of the rivers, the Shannon index of diversity enhancement through their conservation measures. Clusters fluctuated from 0.29 to 0.93, and Margalef index fluctuated comprising of Nemacheilus botia, Labeo dyochilus, from 1.38 to 9.65 showing maximum in slow flow zones and Heteropneustes fossilis Wallago attu occupying ordinat minimum in shallow zones. However, Simpson index of position (2.24, 0.30), Cirrhinus reba, Glosogobius giuris, dominance fluctuated from 0.14 (slow flow) to 0.52 (shallow Mastacembalus armatus occupying ordinat position (-0.73 , zones) indicating a poor diversity (Table 2). The species 1.44) and Mystus cavasius, Channa gachua, Puntius sophore richness and the number of individuals were maximum in and Puntius sarana occupying ordinat position (-0.44 and - slow flow zones. Shannon diversity marked an increase 0.66) were found much suitable to the river conditions with increase of Margalef and decline with increase of suggesting its preference of conservation over other fish Simpson index. Statistical analysis of diversity indices species. marked significant variation (P< 0.05) within months and zones suggesting a strong seasonality within the species richness and number of individuals. It may be pointed here that the river is seasonal, experience drying during summer and low volume of water in winter which might not have provided suitable conditions for most of the fish species for its settlement and ecological succession.

Cluster and correspondence analysis : Bray Curtis similarity and dissimilarity dendrogram (Fig. 2) generated for 23 fish species available in different zones of the river recorded 100 per cent similarities with sub cluster-1 (Wallago attu, Labeo dyochilus and Nemacheilus botia), sub cluster-2 (Puntius sarana, P. sophore and Mystus cavasius) Fig. 2 : Dendogram of similarity percentage of fish species and sub cluster-3 (Glosogobius giuris and Mastacembalus composition in the river Pila salunki

Table 2 : Fish diversity indices and catch per unit effort (CPUE) at different sites of the river Pila Salunki Sampling sites Shannon's diversity (H') Simpsons dominance (D) Margalef richness (M) CPUE (kg/hr)

Fast flow 0.44 0.39 2.44 0.12 Slow flow 0.93 0.14 9.65 0.46 Shallow 0.29 0.52 1.38 0.11 Deep 0.73 0.21 5.54 0.2 Gravel 0.69 0.21 4.54 0.27 Silty sand 0.74 0.20 5.57 0.25

Asian. J. Animal Sci., 9(2), Dec., 2014 : 124-128 127 Hind Institute of Science and Technology FISH DIVERSITY & CONSERVATION OF FISHERY RESOURCES OF THE RIVER PILASALUNKI

Acknowledgement : COOPTED AUTHORS’ – The financial support received from Department of S.K. MISRA, College of Fisheries (O.U.A.T.), BERHAMPUR (ODISHA) INDIA Science and Technology, Govt. of Odisha to carry out the project is acknowledged.

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128 Asian. J. Animal Sci., 9(2), Dec., 2014 : 124-128 Hind Institute of Science and Technology