Assemblage structure and diversity of ichthyofauna in a low-order stream of the Pamba River in the Western Ghats of southern Kerala, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9101.17.12.28096-28103Keywords:
Abundance distribution, conservation, habitat preference, mesohabitat, physico-chemical properties, stream substrates, rheophilic species, threat statusAbstract
This study investigates the assemblage structure and diversity of ichthyofauna in the second-order stream Chorakakki, a tributary of the Pamba River in the Western Ghats of southern Kerala, India. Monthly surveys conducted between January 2019 and June 2021 documented 20 ichthyofaunal species belonging to three orders, six families, and 14 genera. The stream exhibited diverse physico-chemical characteristics, including an average width of 6.17 ± 1.8 m, depth of 0.71 ± 0.28 m, a current velocity of 2.01 ± 0.19 m/s, water temperature of 27.3 ± 0.8°C, dissolved oxygen of 7.8 ± 0.8 mg/L, and slightly acidic pH (6.04 ± 0.23). Stream substrate composition varied, comprising bedrock, boulders, cobbles, pebbles, gravel, sand and silt, which created diverse mesohabitats supporting species-specific preferences. The ichthyofaunal community was dominated by Garra mullya (42.63%) and Mesonoemacheilus triangularis (25.48%). Habitat preferences were evident, with Haludaria fasciata frequenting pools and Balitoridae members inhabiting riffles. Diversity indices such as Margalef’s (2.85), Shannon’s (1.67), Dominance (0.27), and Evenness (0.26) revealed moderate species richness and uneven species distribution. The presence of ‘Vulnerable’ Schistura denisonii and ‘Critically Endangered’ Homaloptera montana underscores the conservation importance of the investigated stream. In addition to highlighting the significance of low-order streams in maintaining a variety of freshwater fish species, this study offers insightful information for Western Ghats conservation planning and management.
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