Ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status of Nagaland, India: a comprehensive review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9531.18.5.28957-28970Keywords:
Assessment, Biodiversity hotspot, Climate change, Cyprinidae, Endemism, freshwater fish, Habitat degradation, IUCN Red List, ichthyofauna, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, Invasive species, Overexploitation, Species richness, Taxonomic diversity, Threat assessmentAbstract
Nagaland, located within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, is home to a rich diversity of freshwater fish species. However, the region’s ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation status are inadequately documented, hindering effective conservation planning. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland and evaluate the conservation status of these species. Systematic review of secondary sources, including research articles, technical reports, and taxonomic records, was conducted. Data were gathered through an extensive literature search across databases like Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar to capture studies on ichthyofaunal diversity and conservation in Nagaland. Keywords like “freshwater fish” and “conservation status” were used, ensuring thorough coverage. Fish species were classified by taxonomic standards, with conservation status based on the IUCN Red List. This study documented 202 fish species across 12 orders, 29 families and 91 genera. The Cyprinidae family was the most dominant, representing 79 species. Conservation status revealed that seven species are classified as ‘Endangered’ (EN), 15 as ‘Near Threatened’ (NT), and 17 as ‘Vulnerable’ (VU), while 6.93% of species remain ‘Data Deficient’ (DD). The primary threats to ichthyofaunal diversity in Nagaland include habitat degradation, over-exploitation, invasive species, and climate change. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous biodiversity assessments and implementing sustainable management practices to preserve Nagaland’s aquatic biodiversity.
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