Taxonomy and conservation status of swamp eels (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) of West Bengal, India
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Abstract
In a comprehensive study spanning January 2019 to April 2023 within the state of West Bengal, the research focused on elucidating
the taxonomy and conservation status of swamp eels in the state. Swamp eels were harvested using traditional fishing techniques, and
sampling sites were randomly selected across nine districts: Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Uttar Dinajpur, Purba Bardhaman, Nadia, Purba Medinipore, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas, accounting for variations in climatic zones and topography. Through meticulous examination involving X-ray radiographs and morphometric measurements, two distinct swamp eel species, Ophichthys cuchia (Hamilton, 1822) and Ophisternon bengalense McClelland, 1844, were identified, both falling under the ‘Least Concern’ category according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Rapid population decline of swamp eels in West Bengal is primarily attributed to habitat degradation and the indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers.
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