Fish diversity in selected urban, suburban, and rural wetlands of Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9956.18.6.29020-29035Keywords:
Catfish, conservation, Cypriniformes, exotic species, Fish Diversity, invasive species, Macrophytes, Physicochemical parameters, Suburban and Rural wetlands, water qualityAbstract
Fish diversity in relation to macrophyte distribution and physicochemical parameters was studied across six wetlands in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 20 fish species were recorded, of which 12 are native to India with a higher prevalence in rural wetlands. Urban wetlands exhibit lower relative diversity due to the dominance of Oreochromis niloticus and the presence of Clarias gariepinus which may pose threats to native fish populations. Macrophytes, which influence fish habitat and growth, are abundant in both urban and rural sites. Of the 20 macrophytes identified, 14 are native to India. Physicochemical parameters show variations across sites, yet Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicates a positive correlation between environmental factors and fish diversity. These findings highlight the importance of habitat conditions in maintaining fish diversity and emphasize the need for conservation strategies to protect declining native fish species in urban wetlands.
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