Annual recruitment pattern of fishes into Keoladeo National Park wetland system, India (original) (raw)

2011

Abstract

Annual recruitment pattern of fishes into the Keoladeo National Park (KNP) wetland system at Bharatpur, India was investigated for a period of three consecutive years, i.e. 2003 through 2005. The study 1) assessed the temporal variation in the arrival pattern of fishes into the KNP, during monsoon and post monsoon seasons, and 2) explored the influence of the catchment processes on occurrence and abundance of fishes in the feeder canal. In total 40,766 individuals belonging to 8 families, 18 genera and 24 species were recorded. However, the species accumulation curve suggests the availability of 30 species in the catchments of KNP. This study recorded 7 new arrivals to the park, viz. Brachydanio albolineatus, Cyprinus carpio communis, Clarias gariepinus, Danio dangila, Mystus tengara, Rasbora daniconius and Securicula gora. The fish diversity was highest during 2004 (1.368) and the lowest during 2003 (0.934). The drift density ranged from 45.57 to 1.01 x 106 (individuals/100 m3 water) and the drift rate from 0.2 to 93.8 (number/second). The drift density and rate differed among the catches (ANOVA, P < 0.05) and were positively correlated with each other (r = 0.703, P < 0.05). The water speed (m/sec) was negatively correlated with total number of individuals per catch. Except B. albolineatus, Catla catla, C. gariepinus and Mastacembelus armatus, all other fish species were distinct and independent with respect to their abundance (χ2, P < 0.05). Of all the recorded species Puntius sophore was apparently distinct forming a separate cluster. Chanda ranga and Puntius sarana formed another cluster distinct from rest of the species. The quantity and duration of water release as a function of total rainfall influenced the composition of fishes and number entering the park. Rain and flood in the catchments increased the number of species in the feeder canal to the park. The decline in the fish species recruitment after the monsoonal flood in the catchment in comparison to the previous decades necessitates a review of the ongoing anthropogenic pressures on fishes, and habitat destruction for infrastructure development and urbanization in the catchments

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