K.R.Sahu / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET) ISSN 2349-3755; Available at https://www.ijmset.com Volume 2, Issue 7, 2015, pp.1-5 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Studies on Piscean Diversity of Mahanadi River Chandrapur, District Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh K.R. Sahu Associate Professor of Zoology, Govt. E.R.R.P.G.Science College, Bilaspur (C.G.),India. Email :[email protected] _______________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract Biologically diversity is a term used to describe the number, variety and variability of organisms. This diversity can be studies at many levels. Mostly it is used as an indication of numbers of species in a particular habitat or ecosystem. There are varying and often conflicting estimates floating around nationally and internationally the number of animal species. India is known for its Mega-biodiversity of biological wealth, harboring are 12% of the shell and fin fishes known. India is very rich in terms of biological diversity due to its unique biogeographic locations , diversified climatic conditions and enormous ecodiversity and geodiversity (Chakraborthy,1997). During the decades investigation on Indian reservoir and fish fauna has been conducted by a number of workers .but there is no record of fish fauna of river of Chhattisgarh hence we decided to study the riverine fish fauna of Mahanadi River at the site of Chandrapur. In India total recorded fishes are 2500 species , out of which 930 are fresh water and 1570 are marine. The Indian Fish populations represent 11.72% of families and 80% of orders of global fishes (Jayaraman, 1999). But the biodiversity studies of fishes are still in alpha taxonomic level and very little information is available on the fish varieties of Chhattisgarh state. With this view keep in mind the present work has been carried out in the year 2010-2011 in the river Mahanadi, nearChandrapur of Janjgir-Champadistrict. Mahanadi is known as life line of Chhattisgarh passing through Chandrapur and discharge in Bay of Bengal. Its length is 858km. At the time of study the specimens were collected with the help of fisherman by using different kinds of nets and other fish catching appliances and devices. The specimens were fixed in 8-10% of formaldehyde solution and kept in containers with proper labeling and tail pointing upwards to avoid damage to the caudal fin. Identification of fishes have been done as per procedure described by F.Day(1878), Hora,S.L. and Mukerji, D.D. (1938),Jayaraman,K.C. (1999) and GopaljiShrivastava (1982). 22 species of 13 genera has been identified which are belonging to 12 families of 5 orders namely Clupieformes, Cypriniformes, Beloniformes, Perciformes and Mestacembeliformes. Out of 22 species 14 species are belonging to order Cypriniformes (07 species of family Cyprinidae,02 of Siluridae, 04 of Bagridae and 01 of Cobitidae ).03 species are belonging to order Clupeiformes, 01 species to order Beloniformes,03 to order Perciformes and 01 species were belonging to order Mastacembeliformes. Keywords : Bio-diversity, Piscean Fauna, Mahanadi, Nets. _______________________________________________________________________________________ 1.INTRODUCTION : Biodiversity is the variability of living organism on planet Earth which is a mega ecosystem. Biodiversity provides the basic biotic resources on which human race is sustaining. The term biodiversity include three different aspects. viz., Ecosystem diversity, Genetics diversity and species diversity hence, biodiversity can be studied at three different levels: genetics, species and ecosystem. There are about 5-20 million living from estimate to be present on this planet and ants it only 1.5 million species have been identified. It included 3,60,000 species of micro-organism, 3,00,000 species of green plants and fungi ; 8,00,000 species of insects and 40,000 species of vertebrates. The tropical environment encouragesthe species diversity of both plants and animals. Chattishgarh is a newly born state;Chandrpur is a religious town ofGoddessMaaChandrahasini and Nathaldai. The place isbelonging to Janjgir – Champa district of Chhattishgarh. Mahanadi is known as life line &Chattishgarh passes through Chandrapur and discharge in Bay of Bengal. It is river of Ganga drainage system. According to the length of river. Mahanadi is longest river of Chhattisgarh state. Mahanadi is rich is plant and aquatic animal Bio-diversity. Mahanadi is originated from Sihava village. Dhamtari district and © IJMSET-Advanced Scientific Research Forum (ASRF), All Rights Reserved “IJMSET promotes research nature, Research nature enriches the world’s future” 1 K.R.Sahu / International Journal of Modern Sciences and Engineering Technology (IJMSET) ISSN 2349-3755; Available at https://www.ijmset.com Volume 2, Issue 7, 2015, pp.1-5 drain in Bay of Bengal via Hirakund dam. Mahanadi Riveris flowing with in the latitude 20.527 and longitude 85.132. Human being uses various types of food. Blue culture is better option to get quality food from aquaculture. Aquatic resources from major parts of food for a large population of many developing countries like India. Bangladesh, Pakistan etc. Fishes contribute nearly half the number of vertebrates fauna found in the world. There are over 20061 living species of fishes are recorded of which 8,411 are fresh water and 11,650 are marine species. In India total recorded fishes are 2,500 out of which 930 are fresh water and 1,570 are Marine. In Chhattisgarh there is no record of fish fauna is available especially riverine fish fauna is still to be studied. Hence we decided to study Piscean diversity of Mahanadi River. 2.MATERIAL & METHODS : During the past decades Piscean diversity have been studied by a number of workers on Indian reservoir, pond and dam, but very little information is available on the Fish diversity of Chhattisgarh. Especially riverine Piscean diversity has not studied by any Ichthyologist. Chhattisgarh is a new state of only 14 years old. Mahanadi is life line of Chhattisgarh and is longest river of the state (length about 858 k.m.) The river Mahanadi is originated from Sihawa, Distt- Dhamtari and flows through the state of Chhattisgarh and Odissa. It is joined by Seonath, Jonk and Hasdeo rivers before entering into Odissa. Near the city of Sambalpur. It is dammed by the longest earthen dam in the world, the Hirakund dam. It drains at area of S around 1,41,600 square k.m. and has of total course of 858 k.m. The latitude of Mahanadi is 20,527 and longitude is 85,132. For the recent work I have selected two stations near Chandrapur of disttJanjgir-Champa. First station is Rajghat beside the temple of MaaChandrahasini and the second station was Timarlagain front of the temple of Nathal Dai. The recent work has been carried out in the year of 2012-2013. During the study period sample were collected on monthly intervals with the help of different kinds of nets and other fish catching appliances and devices from both the study sites. Depth of water in the river is between 5 metre to 40 meter. Fish species were collected personally either during the sampling day with the help of fisherman by using various types of net from different depth of the river in both the sampling station. Fish samples collected were cleaned thoroughly and all colours, colour patterns, spots, bloteches number and design have noted when they are fresh than preserved in 8-10% Formalin. The local name of fish were asked from Fisherman and noted. Some characters were observed in fresh fish at station than fishes were brought to the laboratory of our college and identified following keys provided by F.Day (1958), Hora S.L. and Mukerjii, D.D.(1936), Talwar, Jhingrah (1991), Gopal Ji Shrivastava 1982, Jhingrah (1982),Jhingrah (1982) and Jayaram, K.C. (1991). After identification the specimens were kept in Jar in 8-10% formalin and classification were labeled properly. For easy identification main characters, clear and good illustration and details of fishes from other reference books were consulted. 3.RESULT & DISCUSSION : The recent work has been carried out in the year 2012-2013at both sites namely Rajghat (beside the temple of Chandrahashni) and Timarlaga (in front of temple of Nathaldai). Depth of water – The minimum depth of water was 5 m. during month of April while maximum depth was 40 m. in rainy season. Average depth was 25 m. at station rajghat and 9 m. at sationtimerlaga. Collected fish are categorise on the basis of habitat (depth) and feeding habit. Main shallow water fishes are Labeobata, L. gonias, Ompakbimakulatus and deep water fishes are Notopterusnotopterus, N. chitala, Catla-catla, andMystesseenghala etc. on the basis of feeding habit collected fish have been divided in three category – (i).Surface feeders - Catlacatla, Chandaranga (ii).Middle feeders - Labeorohita, Wallegoattu, Mystessps. (iii).Bottom feeders - Lcalbasu,L.bata, L. gonius, Cirhinnusmrigala List of the fishes collected and identified from the river Mahanadi has been shown in Table 1. 23 species of 13 genera which are belonging to 05 orders, namely Clupeiformes, cypriniformes, Beloniformes, Perciformes and Mastacambeliformes were identified. The fishes collected are belonging to 12 families of above 05 orders. Maximum 15 species are belonging to Order.Piscean fauna and feeding pattern from © IJMSET-Advanced Scientific Research Forum (ASRF), All Rights Reserved “IJMSET promotes research nature,