Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
Snow-fed River Pinder -a tributary of River Alaknanda in central Himalaya was
explored for fish assemblages and habitat specificity. Altogether 27 fish species were
reported from three orders, four families and nine genera. Cypriniformes order was
dominating followed by Siluriformes and Salmoniformes. Shannon-Weiner diversity
index (3.09 to 4.10) and Simpson index of diversity (0.81 to 0.92) of four sites specified
strong relationship with species richness. The distribution of fish species showed
interesting patterns, 33% species were common to all four sampling sites while 14.80%
were restricted to single site and the remaining species were randomly distributed
among two or three sampling sites. Habitat variability in the river significantly
influenced the species assemblage structure. About 7.40% species were found common
to all habitats while 3.70% species were restricted to only single habitat type. The
remaining 88.90% of species were dwelling between two to three habitat types. Deep
pools recorded maximum species richness followed by shallow pools, while least
species richness was recorded in cascade habitats. The conservation status of fish fauna
of the river was ascertained by CAMP (Conservation Assessment and Management
Plan). Out of 27 species, the status of 8 species was not assessed due to data being
deficient, 7 species were categorised as lower risk near threatened, 6 as vulnerable, 5 as
endangered while 1 species was exotic.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Habitat ecology
;
Fish
;
Diversity
;
Conservation
;
Fish diversity
;
Fish assemblage
;
Species
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Journal Contribution
,
Refereed
Format:
pp.1-14
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