NSave Nature to Survive

ISSN: 0973-7049 : Special issue, Vol. 1; 173-179; 2010 NSave Nature to Survive FISH DIVERSITY OF UJANI WETLAND, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA J. P. Sarwade and Y. K. Khillare Fish biodiversity Wetland Paper presented in International Conference on Environment, Energy and Development (from Stockholm to Copenhagen and beyond) December 10-12, 2010, Sambalpur University 173

NSave Nature to Survive J. P. SARWADE* AND Y. K. KHILLARE *Department of Zoology, Arts, Science andcommerce College, Indapur, Pune, INDIA Department OF Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad - 431 001 (M.S.), INDIA E mail: j.sarwade@rediffmail.com ABSTRACT Fish diversity studies were undertaken during January-2008 to Decemeber-2009 to census and commercially important fishes in the Ujani wetland. The present paper deals with the variety and abundance of fresh water fishes in, Indapur Dist. Pune (M.S.) India. The results of present investigation reveal the occurrence of 60 fish species belonging to 6 orders, 15 families and 36 genera. Among the collected species order Cypriniformes was most dominant constituting 66.66 % followed by order Perciformes constituting 11.66 %, Siluriformes constituting 10 %, Beloniformes constituting 8.33 %, Osteoglossiformes constituting 3.33 % and Synbranchiformes constituting 1.66 % of the total fish species. *Corresponding author 174

FISH DIVERSITY OF UJANI WETLAND INTRODUCTION Fishes form one of the most important groups of vertebrates, influencing its life in various ways. Millions of human beings suffer from hunger and malnutrition and fishes form a rich source of food and provide a meal to tide over the nutritional difficulties of man. In addition to serving as an important item of food, fishes provide several by-products to us. Fishes have formed an important item of human diet from time immemorial and are primarily caught for this purpose. Fish diet provides proteins, fat and vitamins A and D. A large amount of phosphorous and other elements are also present in it. They have a good taste and are easily digestible. Economic importance and scope of fish and fisheries especially in Maharashtra, it is essential to study the distribution and the availability of fish from freshwater reservoirs and tanks (Shinde et al., 2009). Biodiversity is essential for stabilization of ecosystem protection of overall environmental quality for understanding intrinsic worth of all species on the earth (Ehrlich and Wilson, 1991). Fish diversity of river essentially represents the fish faunal diversity and their abundance. River conserves a rich variety of fish species which support to the commercial fisheries. The total length of rivers in India is about 29,000 km. All these rivers, their tributaries, canals and irrigation channels have an area of roughly 13,000 km. Revering fisheries of India comprises of five major river systems. They are Ganga river system, Brahmaputra river system, Indus river system, East coast river system, West coast river system (Pandey and Shukla, 2007). The Bhima River originate in Bhimashankar hills near Karjat on the Western side of western Ghats know as Sahyadri, at a distance of 100 kms south of Mumbai is dammed at Ujani and 140 kms south-east of Pune it is knowns Ujani Wetland. It is located in rain shadow region of western Ghat. The rain fall in the area was recorded up to 500 mm. The temperature ranges in summer was between 31 to 41 o c and in winter between 14 to 30ºC.However, the climate of this area is warm and dry and cool in hilly area. Present investigation was undertaken to study the fish diversity of Ujani wetland, Indapur Dist. Pune (M.S.) India. It is the fifth effort in this direction; first effort was Yazdani and Sing, (1990) reported an account of fish resources of Bhima River at Indapur and reported 42 species belonging to 14 families, second effort was Jadhav and Bhosale (1996) reported thirteen fish species belonging to two orders third effort was Yazdani and Sing, (2002) reported 54 species belonging to 15 families from the same river and fourth effort from Shendge (2007), 24 fish species belonging to 11 families. In present survey 60 species reported now in present study to give recent data regarding fish diversity of the Western Ghats River system, aiming to contribute to a better knowledge of the fish diversity of Bhima Rivers Ujani wetland and a tool for conservation planning of aquatic environments in this region. In the field of ichthyology there is valuable contribution by many workers, (Hamilton Buchanan, 1822; Day, 1878; Talwar and Jhingran, 1991; Jayaram, 1999; Sakhare and Joshi, 2002; Dutta et al., 2003; Sakhare and Joshi, 2004; Yadav, 2005; Pawar et al., 2006; Battul et al., 2007; Ashashree et al., 2008; Shinde et al., 2009 and Brinda et al., 2010). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fishes were collected from Bhima River back water Ujani wetland; Indapur Dist. Pune (M.S) India withthe help of local fishermen using different type of nets namely gill nets, cast nets, dragnets, wadap net and Bhor jal. Immediately photographs were taken with help of digital camera. Fishes were brought to laboratory and preserved in 10% formalin solution in separate specimen jars according to the size of species. Small fishes were directly placed in the 10% formalin solution. While large fishes were giving an incision in their abdomen and preserved. 175

J. P. SARWADE AND Y. K. KHILLARE The Meristic and morphometric characters were measured and identified up to the species level, with the help of standard keys and books (Day, 1878; Jayaram, 1999 and Talwar and Jhingran, 1991). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION During the study period different fish varieties can be observed in the Bhima Rivers Ujani wetland Dist. Pune (M.S) India. The results can be seen that the area is rich in fish biodiversity. Fishes belonging to seven orders and fourteen families were collected during the study period. Many collected fishes are having economic importance and sold after collection in the local fish market. In the present fish biodiversity study 60 species of 36 different genera 15 families and 6 orders were recorded from the Bhima River number of catches carried out during January 2008- December 2009. The members of Order Cypriniformes were dominated by with 40 species followed by Perciformes with 7 species, Siluriformes with 6 species, Beloniformes with 5 species, Osteoglossiformes with 2 species and Synbranchiformes with 1 species. 6 orders representing by 60 fish species, order Cypriniformes was dominant group with 40 species in the assemblage composition in which Catla-caltla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cyprinus carpio, and Lebeo rohita were found most abundant. Cirrhinus reba, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Lebeo boggut, Labeo calbasu, Puntius conchonius, Puntius sarana, Puntius sophore, Puntius ticto, Schismatorhynchus nukta, Garra mullya and Nemacheilus botia were found abundant form. Cirrhinus fulungee, Hypselobarbus curmuca, Amblypharyngodon mola, Labeo fimriaus, Labeo kawrus, Labeo potail, Osteobrama bakeri, Osteobrama bhimensis, Osteobrama cotio cunma, Osteobrama vigorsii, Osteobrama niilli, Tor khudree, Chela cahius, Salmostoma untrahi, Barillius bakeri, Barillius bendelisit, Barillius evezardi, Danio aequipinnatus, Parluciosoma daniconius, Nemacheilus denisonii and Lepidocephalus guntea were found less abundant. Salmopharia novacula, Salmostoma bacaila and Salmostoma boopis were found rare abundant. Followed by order Perciformes was 7 species in the assemblage composition in which Oreochromis mossambica was found most abundant form. Channa marulius and Channa orientalis were found abundant form. Rhinomugil corsula, Glassogobius giuris, Chanda nama and Pseudoambassis ranga were found less abundant. Followed by order Siluriformes was 7 species in the assemblage composition in which Mystus bleekeri and Wallago attu were found abundant form. Aorichthys aor, Aorichthys seenghala, Mystus malabaricus and Ompok bimaculatus were found less abundant. Followed by order Beloniformes was 5 species in the assemblage composition in which Xenetodon cancila, Aplocheilus lineatus, Hemirampus georgii, Hyporhamphus limbatus and Gambusia affinis were found less abundant. Followed by order Osteoglossiformes was 2 species in the assemblage composition in which Notopterus notopterus were found less abundant. Notopterus chitala were found rare abundant. Followed by order Synbranchiformes was 1 species in the assemblage composition in which Mastacembelus armatus was found less abundant (Table 1). 60 species were recorded and identified on the Bhima River. Among the order Cypriniformes was most dominant constituting 66.66 % followed by order Perciformes constituting 11.66 %, Siluriformes constituting 10 %, Beloniformes constituting 8.33 %, Osteoglossiformes constituting 3.33 % and Synbranchiformes constituting 1.66 % of the total fish species. (Fig. 1). Fishing operations through out year with so many different fish species catches in monsoon compared to post monsoon and summer seasons. Mahapatra (2003) recorded abundance of catfishes in Hirakund reservoir. Total 43 species were present in which 18 were commercially important. Sakhare and Joshi (2003) reported 34 species of fishes in reservoirs of Parbhani Dist. of Maharashtra. Shinde et al. (2009) reported the fish diversity of Pravara River, Pravara Sangam Dist. Ahmednagar (M.S.) India. The results of investigation reveal the occurrence of 41 fish species belonging to 7 orders, 14 families and 26 genera. Among the collected species order Cypriniformes was most dominant constituting 50 % followed by order Siluriformes constituting 19 %, order Perciformes constituting 14.28 %, orders Osteoglossiformes and Synbranchiformes constituting 4.76 % and orders Mugiliformes and Beloniformes constituting 2.38 % of the total fish species. 176

Table 1: The fish diversity of Ujani Wetland at Indapur during January 2008 December 2009 Order Family Scientific name Status Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) + Notopterus chitala (Pallas) - Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Catla catla (Ham- Buch) +++ Cirrhinus fulungee (Sykes) + Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham-Buch) +++ Cirrhinus reba (Ham- Buch) ++ Cyprinus carpio (Linn) +++ Ctenopharyngodpn idellus (Val) ++ Hypselobarbus curmuca (Ham Buch) + Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton) + Labeo Boggut(Sykes) ++ Labeo calbasu (Ham- Buch) ++ labeo fimriaus (Bloch) + Labeo kawrus (Sykes) + Labeo potail (Sykes) + Labeo rohita (Ham- Buch) +++ Osteobrama bakeri (Day) + Osteobrama bhimensis (singh and Yazdani) + Osteobrama cotio cunma (Day) + Osteobrama vigorsii (Sykes) + Osteobrama niilli (Day) + Puntius conchonius (Ham Buch) ++ Puntius sarana (Ham- Buch) ++ Puntius sophore (Ham-Buch) ++ Puntius ticto (ham-buch) ++ Salmopharia novacula (Valenciennes) - Schismatorhynchus nukta (Sykes) ++ Tor khudree (Sykes) + Chela cahius (Ham buch) + Salmostoma bacaila (Ham-Buch) - Salmostoma boopis (Day) - Salmostoma untrahi (Day) + Barillius bakeri (Day) + Barillius bendelisit (Ham Buch) + Barilius evezardi (Day) + Danio aequipinnatus (Mc Clelland) + Parluciosoma daniconius (Ham-Buch) + Garra mullya (Sykes) ++ Balitoridae Nemacheilus botia (Ham Buch) ++ Nemacheilus denisonii (Day) + Cobitidae Lepidocephalus guntea (Ham- Buch) + Siluriformes Bagridae Aorichthys aor (Ham- Buch) + Aorichthys seenghala (Sykes) + Mystus bleekeri (Day) ++ Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon) + Siluridae Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) + Wallago attu (Schneider) ++ Beloniformes Belonidae Xenetodon cancila (Ham Buch) + Aplocheilus lineatus (Val.) + Hemiramphidae Hemirampus georgii + Hyporhamphus limbatus (Valenciennes) + Cyprinodontidae Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard) + Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) + Perciformes Cichlidae Oreochromis mossambica (Peters) +++ Mugilidae Rhinomugil corsula (Ham- Buch) + Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris (Ham-Buch) + Ambassidae Chanda nama (Ham-Buch) + Channidae Channa marulius (Ham-Buch) ++ Channa orientalis (Bloch and Schneider) ++ Pseudoambassis ranga (Hamilton) + +++ Most abundant, ++ Abundant, + Less abundant, - Rare 177 FISH DIVERSITY OF UJANI WETLAND

J. P. SARWADE AND Y. K. KHILLARE Cypriniformes Osteoglossiformes Siluriformes Beloniformes Synbranchiformes Perciformes 8% 2% 11% 10% 3% 66% Percentage % Figure 1: Order wise fish composition at Ujani Wetland, Indapur Dist. Pune (M.S.), India In the present study Cypriniformes were dominated by with 40 species followed by Perciformes with 7 species, Siluriformes with 6 species, Beloniformes with 5 species each, Osteoglossiformes with 2 species and Synbranchiformes with 1 species. Percentage wise order Cypriniformes was most dominant constituting 66.66 % followed by order Perciformes constituting 11.66 %, Siluriformes constituting 10 %, Beloniformes constituting 8.33 %, Osteoglossiformes constituting 3.33 % and Synbranchiformes constituting 1.66 % of the total fish species. Sakhare, (2001) reported the occurrence of 23 fish species belonging to 7 orders in Jawalgaon reservoir in Solapur district of Maharastra. The fishes belonging to order Cypriniformes were dominant with 11 species to be followed by fishes of order Siluriformes with 4 species, while orders like Osteoglssiformes, Perciformes and Channiformes were represented by 2 species and the rest of orders by single species. Pisca et al., (2000) reported a genera fish belonging to four orders and 28 species from Ibrahimbagh reservoir of Hyderabad. Sugunan and Yadava, (1992) mentioned 40 fish species from Hirakhud reservoir of Orissa forming the commercial fishery. The work will concluded future strategies for development and fish fauna conservation Bhima River, Indapur Dist. Pune (M.S.) India. Recent data regarding Fish diversity of the Western Ghat River system, aiming to contribute to a better knowledge of the fish diversity of Bhima River and a tool for conservation planning of aquatic environments in this region. To maintain Fish biodiversity has immense importance as it is not always possible to identify individual species critical to sustain aquatic ecosystem. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are grateful to Principal Arts,Science and Commerce College Indapur and the Head, Dept of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad-431004 (M.S) India for providing laboratory and library facilities during the course of study. REFERENCES Ashashree H. M., Venkateshwarlu, M. and Reneuka Swamy, H. M. 2008. Diveristy of fish fauna in Nagathibelagulu pond, Shimoga,Karnataka. Advances in aquatic ecology. (2): 95-97. Battul, P. N., Rao, K. R., Navale, R. A., Bagale, M. B. and Shah, N. V. 2007. Fish diversity from Errukh Lake near Solapur, Maharashtra. J. Aqua. Biol. 22(2): 68-72. Brinda, S., Srinivasan, M. and Balakrishnan, S. 2010. Studies on Diversity of Fin Fish Larvae in Vellar Estuary, Southeast Coast of India. World J. Fish and Marine Sci. 2(1): 44-50. 178

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