ICTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY OF KOLE WETLANDS OF

UGC- MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT (XI TH PLAN)

SWAPANA JOHNY1 & DR. N.D.INASU2 SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

Wetland forms an important ecosystem essential for the existence of life on earth. Three wetlands of Kerala, recently included in the Ramsar site are the Vembanad–Kol, Ashtamudi and Sasthamkotta. Kole lands being a part of Vembanad–Kol, lies between Bharathapuzha in the north and River in the south, spreading in and Malappuram districts. Kole lands are highly productive region. Icthyofaunal diversity of Kol wetlands along with its physiochemical parameters is studied in the present work. The duration of the study was from October 2011 to September 2012.

Eleven collection sites were fixed covering all parts of the kole lands. The selected sites were Chettupuzha (A), Manakkodi (B), Pazhuvil (C), Ettumana (D), Konthipulam (E), Thommana (F), Manalurthazham (G), Ennamavu Bund region (H), Ayinoor (I), Srayikadavu (J) and Parappur (K). Fishes for the biodiversity studies were collected by operating cast net, scoop nets and traps. Fishes were collected from the nets installed at the top of delivery pipes of motors used for dewatering the Kole lands, the “petty & para” system. Fishes collected from each sampling locations were preserved in 7% formaldehyde and brought to the laboratory for the identification of species. Fishes are identified using standard reference books. Water samples were collected in cleaned bottles during the same time and were brought to the laboratory for the physico-chemical analysis. Temperature of the water samples were noted at the site using thermometer. The pH, Salinity, Total dissolved solids and conductivity of water was also analyzed at the site using digital PCS tester. Dissolved oxygen was estimated using Winkler’s method and Dissolved Carbon dioxide estimation was done by titration method in the laboratory. Values are noted down carefully.

In the study about 54 species of fishes belonging to 40 genera were identified from Kole wetlands during the period of study. These 54 species are spread in 9 Orders and 26 families. Order Perciformes represented the highest number of families with 13 families under it. Family Cyprinidae with 14 species represents maximum number of species with genus Puntius alone having 7 species. Fishes collected belonged to food fish, ornamental fish and larvicidal fish categories. One species of exotic ornamental fish is reported from kole lands along with other culture carps of . While studying the IUCN category, Dayella malabarica (Day) is considered as critically endangered (Kurup et al). Sicyopterus griseus(Day) is endangered as per IUCN list. Thirteen species were considered as vulnerable species. On studying the species wise distribution in different collection site the fishes Amblypharyngodon melittina, Puntius filamentosus, Tetraodon travancoricus and Xenentodon cancilla are found to be distributed all throughout the Kole wetlands. Some are distributed in all sites except one site and few were represented in single site only.

Physicochemical parameters showed variations in different seasons making difference in the fish composition. Many estuarine species were caught from the site Ennamavu bundh region which is the place where Kole land waters drain to the Chettuva estuary and saline intrusions are possible during pre monsoon season. Seasonal fluctuations were found in pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide levels also. Kole lands consisting of both fresh water and brackish water, carries fishes from both habitats making its biodiversity rich and abundant.

Due to human interferences these water bodies are getting polluted by the pesticides and fertilizers used in the agricultural field. Apart from this due to large scale reclamation, sand mining and pollution from other sources wetlands are losing its natural characters. This leads to the loss of biodiversity in the near future, leading to the scarcity of staple food and water. A necessity for awareness of the situations is need of the hour to conserve our wetlands at its best, thereby saving the nature for the next generation.

1. SWAPANA JOHNY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DEPT. OF ZOOLOGY, LITTLE FLOWER COLLEGE, GURUVAYOOR. (PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR) 2. Dr. N.D. INASU, FORMER PRO VICE CHANCELLOR, COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. (CO-INVESTIGATOR)