Seasonal dynamics of ichthyodiversity in a hill stream of the Darjeeling Himalaya, West Bengal, india
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The small torrential spring-fed hill-stream Relli in the Darjeeling Himalaya of West Bengal was studied from March 2007 to February 2009 to assess seasonal dynamics and diversity of fish populations. The study revealed that the stream sustained 25 rheophilic cold water fish species from 15 genera and five families having ornamental, food and sport value. Seven omnivorous species were abundantly found, and the array of juveniles and sub adults suggests this stream is used as a breeding and nursery ground for some species. The stream harboured fish with unique modifications such as adhesive structures. Analysis of monthly data indicate that abundance and diversity indices increased slightly during April–May and sharply during October–November, indicating significant seasonal variations with the low diversity observed during monsoon months reflecting environmental stresses. Evenness was high in all sampling sites, and inversely related to the dominance index of ichthyofauna. The density and diversity of fish assemblages along the gradient of the stream may be interrupted due to anthropogenic disturbances. Our study provides baseline data which may be helpful for conservation and management of fish species, and in formulating fishery policy.
ÂArticle Details
Authors own the copyright to the articles published in JoTT. This is indicated explicitly in each publication. The authors grant permission to the publisher Wildlife Information Liaison Development (WILD) Society to publish the article in the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The authors recognize WILD as the original publisher, and to sell hard copies of the Journal and article to any buyer. JoTT is registered under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), which allows authors to retain copyright ownership. Under this license the authors allow anyone to download, cite, use the data, modify, reprint, copy and distribute provided the authors and source of publication are credited through appropriate citations (e.g., Son et al. (2016). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the southeastern Truong Son Mountains, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. Journal of Threatened Taxa 8(7): 8953–8969. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2785.8.7.8953-8969). Users of the data do not require specific permission from the authors or the publisher.
References
Abell, R., M.L. Thieme, C. Revenga, M. Bryer, M. Kottelat, N. Bogutskaya, B. Coad, N. Mandrak, S.C. Balderas, W. Bussing, M.L.J. Stiassny, P. Skelton, G.R. Allen, P. Unmack, A. Naseka, R. Ng, N. Sindorf, J. Robertson, E. Armijo, J.V. Higgins, T.J. Heibel, E. Wikramanayake, D. Olson, H.L. Lopez, R.E. Reis, J.G. Lundberg, M.H.S. Perez & P. Petry (2008). Freshwater ecoregions of the World: a new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. Bioscience 58(5): 403–414; http://dx.doi.org/10.1641/B580507
Acharjee, M.L. & S. Barat (2010). Impact of fishing methods on conservation of ichthyofauna of river Relli in Darjeeling Himalaya of West Bengal. Journal of Environmental Biology 31: 431–434.
Acharjee, M.L. & S. Barat (2011). Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Physico-Chemical Factors of River Relli in Darjeeling Himalaya, West Bengal, India. North Bengal University Journal of Animal Sciences 5: 24–33.
Acharjee, M.L. & S. Barat (2012). Diversity of loach and catfish in a Darjeeling Himalayan hill-stream - their prospects as ornamental fish and constraints. NBU Journal of Animal Science 6: 53–60.
Acharjee, M.L. & S. Barat (2013). Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Teesta River in Darjeeling Himalaya of West Bengal, India. Asian Journal of Experimental Biological Sciences 4(1): 112-122.
Bahuguna, S.N. & A.K. Badoni (2002). Qualitative and quantitative productivity of fish food from three important tributaries of river Alaknanda. Himlayan Journal of Environmental Zoology 16(2): 215–222.
Barat, S., P. Jha & R.F. Lepcha (2005). Bionomics and cultural prospects of Katli, Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis (McClelland) in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, pp. 66–69. In: Tyagi, B., S. Sunder & M. Mohun (eds.). Coldwater Fisheries Research and Development in North-east Region of India. NRCCWF, Bhimtal. Vikrant Computers, Haldwani.
Begossi, A., R.A.M. Silvano, B.D. do Amaral & O.T. Oyakawa (1999). Uses of fish and game by inhabitants of an extractive reserve (Upper Juruá, Acre, Brazil). Environment, Development and Sustainability 1: 73–93; http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1010075315060
Berger, W.H. & F.L. Parker (1970). Diversity of planktonic Foramenifera in deep sea sediments. Science 168: 1345–1347; http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.168.3937.1345
Bisht, B., A.K. Badoni & S.N. Bahuguna (2009). Seasonal distribution and relative abundance of fish fauna of a small hill-stream Dangchaura (Takoli) Gad, along the river Alaknanda. Our Nature 7: 182–186.
Brower, J.E. & J.H. Zar (1977). Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology. W.M.C. Brown Co. Publication, Dubuque, Iowa.
Burton, P.J., A.E. Balinsky, L.P. Coward, S.G. Cumming & D.D. Kneeshaw (1992). The value of managing for biodiversity. The Forestry Chronicle 68 (2): 225-237.
Das, S.K. & D. Chakrabarty (2007). The use of fish community structure as a measure of ecological degradation: a case study in two rivers of India. Bio Syst. 90: 188–196.
Dudgeon, D. (2000).The ecology of tropical Asian rivers and streams in relation to biodiversity conservation. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 31: 239–263.
Dudgeon, D. (Ed.) (2008). Tropical Stream Ecology. Academic Press is an imprint of Elsevier, U.K. 316pp.
Edds, D.R. (1993). Fish Assemblage Structure and Environmental
Correlates in Nepal‘s Gandaki River. Copeia (1): 48–60.
Emmanuel, L.O. & O.O. Modupe (2010). Fish Diversity in Three Tributaries of River Ore, South West, Nigeria. World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 2(6): 524–531.
Faurie, C., C. Ferra, P., Medori & J. Devaux (2001). Ecology Science and Practices. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
Froese, R. & D. Pauly (eds.) (2012). FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (08/2012).
Fu, C., J. Wu, J. Chen, Q. Wu & G. Lei (2003). Fresh water fish biodiversity in the Yangtze River basin of China: patterns, threats and conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 12: 1649–1685.
Goswami, U.C., S.K. Basistha, D. Bora, K. Shyamkumar, B. Saikia & K. Changsan (2012). Fish diversity of north east India, inclusive of the Himalayan and In Burma biodiversity hotspots zones: A checklist on their taxonomic status, economic importance, geographical distribution, present status and prevailing threats. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation 4(15): 592-613. http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/IJBC11.228
Goulding, M. (1980). The Fishes and The Forest. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Gupta, A. (1987). Large floods as geomorphic events in the humid tropics, pp. 301–315. In: Baker, V.R., R.C. Kochel, & P.C. Patton (eds.). Flood Geomorphology. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Hawkes, H.A. (1979). Invertebrates as indicator of river water quality, pp. 16–30. In: James, A., L. Evison (eds.). Biological indicators of Water Quality. John Wiley and Sons. Great Britain.
Hoopes, R.L. (1975). “Flooding as the result of Hurricane Agnes, and its effects on a native brook trout population in an infertile headwater stream in central Pennsylvania.†Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 104(1): 96–99.
Hora, S.L. & J.C. Gupta (1940). On a Collection of Fish from Kalimpong Duars and Siliguri Terai, northern Bengal. Journal Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal Science 7(8): 77–83.
Hora, S.L. & K.K. Nair (1944). Pollution of Streams and conservation of fisheries; effluent of the quinine factory at Mongpo, District Darjeeling, Bengal. Current Science 10(1): 147–164.
IUCN (2013). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. . Downloaded on 04 July 2013.
IUCN (2012). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. . Downloaded on 04 July 2013.
Jayaram, K.C. (2009). Catfishes of India. Narendra Publishing House. Delhi (India), 383pp.
Jhingran, V.G. & K.L. Sehgal (1978). Cold water Fisheries of India. 1st edition. Inland Fisheries Society of India, Barrackpore, West Bengal, India, ix+239pp.
Johal, M.S. & Y.K. Rawal (2005). Key to the management of the western Himalayan Hill streams in relation to fish species richness and diversity. Hydrobiologia 532: 225–232; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-9523-3
Jowett, I.G. & C. Richardson (1989). Effects of a severe flood on in stream habitat and trout populations in seven New Zealand rivers. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 23: 11–17; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.1989.9516335
Kottelat, M. & T. Whitten (1996). Freshwater Biodiversity in Asia with Special Reference to Fish. World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Krebs, C.J. (1999). Ecological Methodology - 2nd Edition. Addison Wesley Longman.
Leitman, H.M., M.R. Darst & J.J. Nordhaus (1991). Floodplain of the Ochlockonee River, Florida, during flood and drought conditions. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigations (90-4202), Tallahassee, Florida.
Li, H.W. & J.L. Li (2007). Role of fish assemblages in stream communities. In: Hauer, F.R. & G.A. Lamberti (eds.). Methods in Stream Ecology, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, USA, 489–514.
Lomolino, M.V. (2001). Elevation gradients of species-density: historical and prospective views. Global Ecology & Biogeography 10: 3–13; http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1466-822x.2001.00229.x
Lowe-McConnel, R.H. (1975). Fish communities in Tropical Freshwaters. Longman, New York, New York.
Ludwig, J.A. & J.F. Reynolds (1988). Statistical Ecology. A Primer on Methods and Computing. A Wiley-Interscience Publication. John Wiley and Sons, U.S.A., 338pp.
Margalef, D.R. (1958). Information Theory in Ecology. General Systems 3: 36–71.
Mason, C.F. (1988). Biology of Fresh Water Pollution. Longman scientific and technical.
Menon, A.G.K. (1954). Fish geography of the Himalayas. Proceedings of the National Institute of Science of India 20: 467–493.
Mishra, A., S.K. Chakraborty, A.K. Jaiswar, A.P. Sharma, G. Deshmukhe & M. Mohan (2010). Plankton diversity in Dhaura and Baigul reservoirs of Uttarakhand. Indian Journal Fisheries 57(3): 19–27.
Mittermeier, R.A. & C.G. Mittemeier (1997). Megadiversity: Earth’s Biologically Wealthiest Nation, pp. 1–140. In: McAllister, D.E., A.L. Hamilton & B. Harvery (eds.). Global Freshwater Biodiversity. Sea Wind, Cemex, Mexico City.
Mukherjee, M., R.F. Lepcha & C. Chakraborty (2011). Fish and Fisheries of Himalayan and Terai Region of West Bengal with Ornamental Touch. Daya Publishing House. Delhi, 342pp.
Nath, P. & S.C. Dey (2000). Fish and Fisheries of Northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh). Narendra Publishing House. Delhi (India), xviii+217pp.
Nehring, R.B. & D.D. Miller (1987). The influence of spring discharge levels on brown and rainbow trout recruitment and survival, Black Canyon of the Gunnison River, Colorado, as determined by IFIM, PHABSIM models. Proceedings Annual Conference, Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Salt Lake City, Utah, 388–397pp.
Nelson, J.S. (1994). Fishes of the World, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
O’Malley, L.S.S. (1907). Bengal District Gazetteer: Darjeeling. Rept. Logos Press, New Delhi, 1985pp.
Peet, R.K. (1974). The measurement of species diversity. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 5: 285–307. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.05.110174.001441
Petrere Jr., M. (1989). River fisheries in Brazil: a review. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 4: 1–16; http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rrr.3450040102
Pielou, E.C. (1966). The measurement of diversity in different types of biological collections. Journal of Theoretical Biology 13: 131–144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-5193(66)90013-0
Plafkin, J.L., M.T., Barber, K.D., Poter, S.K., Gross & R.M. Highes (1989). Rapid bioassessment protocol for use in streams and rivers for benthic macro invertebrates and fish. EPA/ 444/4-89/001. Office of water regulation and standards. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,Washingaton DC, USA.
Poff, N.L. & J.V. Ward (1989). Implications of streamflow variability and predictability for lotic community structure: A regional analysis of streamflow patterns. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 46: 1805–1818; http://dx/doi.org/10.1139/f89-228
Sehgal, K.L. (1999). Coldwater fish and fisheries in the Himalayas: Rivers and Streams, pp. 41–63. In: Petr, T. (ed.). Fish and Fisheries at higher altitude-Asia. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 385: Rome, FAO.
Sen, P.K. & S.N. Biswas (2006). Development strategies of cold water fisheries in Darjeeling hill areas of West Bengal, pp. 24–48. In: Proceedings of State Level Seminar on Prospects and Potentialities of Cold Water Fisheries in West Bengal Jointly organized by Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic resources, and Fishing harbours, Government of West Bengal and Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri.
Sen, T.K. (1992). Freshwater Fish. State Fauna Series 3: Fauna of West Bengal, Part 2, Zoological Survey of India: 101–242.
Shaw, G.E. & E.O. Shebbeare (1937). The fishes of Northern Bengal. Journal Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. Science 3: 1–137.
Shrestha, J. (1999). Coldwater fish and fisheries in Nepal, pp. 13–40. In: Petr, T. (ed.). Fish and Fisheries at Higher Altitude-Asia. FAO Fisheries Technical Paper. No. 385: Rome, FAO.
Simpson, E.H. (1949). Measurement of diversity. Nature 163: 688; http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/163688a0
Singh, H.R. & N. Kumar (2000). Some aspects of ecology of hillstreams, stream morphology, zonation, characteristics, and adaptive features of ichthyofauna in Garhwal Himalaya, pp. 1–18. In: Munshi, J.S.D. (ed.). Modern Trends in Fish Biology Research. Narendra Publishing House, Delhi.
Talwar, P.K. & A.G. Jhingran (1991). Inland Fishes of India and adjacent countries - 2 Volumes. Oxford & IBH Publishing House, New Delhi, xx+1158pp.
Tekriwal, K.L. & A.A. Rao (1999). Ornamental Aquarium Fish of India. Waterlooville, Kingdom Books, 144pp.
Vannote R.L., G.W. Minshall, K.W. Cummins, J.R. Sedell & C.E. Cushing (1980). The river continuum concept. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37: 130–137; http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f80-017
Watling, K., G. Bottom, A. Pembroke & D. Maurer (1979). Seasonal variations in Delaware Bay phytoplankton community structure. Marine Biology 53: 207–215; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00398134
Welcomme, R.L. (1985). River fisheries. FAO Fish Tech Pap. 262: 1–318.
Whittaker, R.H. (1972). Evolution and measurement of species diversity. Taxon 21: 213–251.
Wichert, G.A. & D.J. Rapport (1998). Fish community structure as a measure of degradation and rehabilitation of riparian systems in an agricultural drainage basin. Environmental Management 22(3): 425–443.