Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Chapter 2
CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF FISH FAUNA OP
NORTHERN KERALA
A. Current status of fresh water fishes
Introduction
India is rich in fish fauna, representing 1 1.72% of species, 23.96% of genera, 57%of
families and 805 of orders of the world (Burman, 1998). Day (1889) described 1418 species
of fish under 342 genera from British India. Jayaram (1 98 1) listed 742 freshwater species of
fishes coming under 233 genera, 64 families and 16 orders from the Indian region. Talwar
(1991) estimated 2546 specis of fish beloging to 969 genera, 254 families and 40 orders from
India. Recently, Jayaram (1 999), grouped and estimated 852 species of fishes beloging to 7 1
families and 16 orders from the Indian region.
Among the Indian families of freshwater fishes, the family Cyprinidae is the largest
and the most dominant and of immense economic value with the maximum number of L
endemic species (97 species), followed by the family Balitoridae (46 species) and Sisoridae
(2 1 species). The fish fauna of India has two endemic families,viz., Parapsylorhynchidae and
Horaichthydae. The fishes of the parapsylorhynchidae are small hillstream fishes comprising
of a single genus, Parapsilorhyncus with three species; while the family Horaichthydae
includes a monotypic genus and species, Hariachthys setnai. The fish fauna of India include
223 endemic species, representing 8.75% of the fish species known to India and 127
monotypic genera representing 1'3.10 % of the Indian genera of fishes (Burman, 1 998).
I. Current Status of freshwater fishes of Northern Kerala
-According to the IUCN Red Data List categories 1994, any one of the five categories
has to be satisfied for a taxon to be categorised as 'threatened'. The criteria that are used in
categorisation of threat are: a) Population reduction, b) Restricted distribution, c) Population
estimates, d) restricted populations and e) probability of extinction.
The above-mentioned criteria are more applicable to a siilgle river. Since the present
study covered 20 rivers, the IUCN criteria is adopted with some modifications. In the
analysis, statuses of the species were made based on restricted distribution of the species, area
of occupancy of the species, and the number of species recorded. The following criteria was
adopted;
Threatened categories
Critically Endangered: a) Species with restricted distribution to a single river, b) area
of occupancy limited to a single location in that river and c) the number of species estimated
to be less than five in the collection site.
Endangered: a) Species with restricted distribution to one to three rivers, b) area of
occupancy limited to five collection sites in the rivers from where they were recorded and
c) the number of species estimated to be less than ten in the collection sites.
Vulnerable: a) Species with restricted distribution in 4-8 rivers, b) area of occupancy
limited to ten collection sites in the rivers from where they were recorded and c) the number
of species estimated to be less than ten in the collection sites.
Non-threatened categories
Low Risk-nearly threatened: a) Species with wide distribution in 9-1 3 rivers, b) area
of occupancy of less than in 15 collection sites in the rivers from where they were recorded
and c) the number of species estimated to be less than 1 5 in the collection sites.
Low Risk-least concern: a) Species with wide distribution in more than 14 rivers,
b) area of occupancy of more than in 20 collection sites in the rivers from where they were
recorded and c) the number of species estimated to be more than 1 5 in the collection sites.
Threatened categories of fishes of northern Kerala
a) Critically Endangered species: Ten species are collected from a single river in
less than five numbers and so they are included under Critically Endangered category (Table
2.1). Tor tor is an addition to the fish fauna of Kerala. The range of distribution of Chela
fasciata, Horadandia attubrali and Am blypharyngodon m ola has been ex tended to northern
Kerala; and previously these species were recorded only fiom the rivers of southern Kerala.
Except Horadandia attukurali, all others were typical hill stream fishes. Six species out of 10,
are the members of the family Cyprinidae, nexi highly threatened family was Balitoridae (2
members). Puntius melanostigma, Hornlabiosn joshuai, Amblypharyngodon mola,
Homaloptera muntan a, Nemacheilus monilis, Batasio tmvan caria and Glyptothorax
anamnliensis are entirely restricted in their distribution to the streams flowing through the
Wildlife Sanctuaries, H.attukorali is an inhabitant of midland and lowland streams with lower
water velocity and is not recorded fiom hill streams so far.
Table 2.1 : Critically endangered freshwater fishes of northern Kerala
b) Endangered fishes: A total of twenty three species are coming under the
endangered category. Of these, 3 species were recorded only from a single river of the study
area in less than 5 numbers and fiom less than five collection sites; 13 species are recorded
from two rivers of the study area in less than 5 numbers and from less than five collection
sites; rest of the 7 species were recorded fiom three rivers in less than 5 numbers and from
less than five collection sites (Table 2.2). The range of distribution of Esomus thermoicos,
Pangio goaensis and Hurabagrus brachysoma has been extended to northern Kerala. Record
of Labeo ariza, Lnbeo potail and Barilius bendelisis was their first report from Bhavani river.
The present study extended the range of distribution of Puntiics denisonii to Chandragiri and
Chaliyar rivers. The report of Garra gotyla stenorhyncus was a rare record from a west
flowing river, Chaliyar river is considered as a rare observation. Reghunathan (1 998) reported
first time this species from west flowing Chaliyar. .e.
Sl.no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Species Pun tius melanostigma Tor tor Noralabiosa joshuai Chela fasciata Ambi'ypharyngodon inola Horadndia attubrali Hornaloptera montana Nemacheilus monilis
Name of distributed rivers Kabini Chandragiri Bharathapuzha Bharathapuzha Kabini Bharathapuzha Bharathapuzha Bhavani
c) Vulnerable species: Nineteen species comes under this category as they were
recorded from only 4 - 8 rivers of the study area (Table 2.3). Sicyopterus grzseus, Chanda
nama and Tetraodon travancoricus was previously recorded only fiom southern Kerala The
present study confirmed the occurrence of these species in the rivers of northern Kerala also.
Sicyopterus griseus was common in the moderate hilly areas, while Chanda nama and
Tetraodon travancoricus were seen in groups along the waters of low land areas.
Hypselobarbus kurnli was reported for the first time fiom Chandragiri, Kariyamgode,
Valapattanam and Kuttiadi rivers. Hypselobarbus curmuca was recorded for the first time
from Valapattanarn, Kabini and Bhavani rivers. The present study extended the range of
distribution of Tor khudree to some new areas like, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram, Kariyamgode,
Kppparn, Kabini and Bhavani rivers.
Table 2.2: Endangered fishes of northern Kerala
Sl.no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 13 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 18 19 20 21 22 23
Species Hypselobarbus jerdoni Osteochilus brevidorsalis Barbodes carnuticus Pun tius - denisonii Puntius dorsalis Puntius wynadensis Labeo ariza Labeo potail Barbodes bendelisis Esomus thermoicos Garra gotyla stenorhyncus - G.mcClellandi G.menoni Balitora mysorensis Nemacheilis denisonii N. evezardi N-semiarmatus Pando goaensis H~rabagrus brachysoma Mystus cavasius M.punctatus Clarias dussumieri Glyptothorax madraspatanus
Rivers Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar Bharathapuzha, Kabini, Bhavani Chandragiri, Valapattanam, Chaliyar Bharathapuzha, Chalyar, Bhavani Kabini Kabini, Bhavani Kabini, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Bhavani Bharathapuzha Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar Bharafhapuzha, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Kabini, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri Kabini, Bhavani Chali yar Kari yarngode Valapattanam, Kabini Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Kabini Chaliyar, Kabini Bharathapuzha, Kabini
Table 2.3: Distribution of Vulnerable fishes of Northern Kerala
Non-threatened fishes of northern Kerala: 44 species belongs to this citegory and they
were recorded from more than nine rivers in the study area (Table 2.5). Most of the fishes of
this category were the inhabitants of rivers and streams flowing through the low and middle
lands. 1 1 species were seen only in the low lands, 1 1 were seen plenty both in low and middle
lands, 3 species were common in mid land rivers, 4 species were residents of both hill streams
and middle lands, 7 species were distributed from low lands to hilly areas, while 6 species
Sl. no. 1 2
3 4
5
6
Species
Notoptems notptems HypseZo barbus kurali
Puntius pnrruh Puntius sophore
Hypselobavbus curmuca
Puntius conchonius
Name of distributed rivers
Bharathaguzha, Chaliyar, Kadalundi, Kabini Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Kariyarngode, Valapattanam, Kuttiadi Bharathapuzha, Kuppam, Chaliyar, Kadalundi Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Kari yamgode, Valapattanam, Kal layi, C haliyar Bhmthapuzha, Valapattanam, Chali yar, Kabini, Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Kariyamgode, Chaliyar, Kabini
9
10
11
12 13
Esornus danricur
Bhavania australis
Mystus gulio
Sicyopterus griseus Channa striatus
Bharathapuzha, Kuppam, Valapattanam, C hali yar, Kabini Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Valapattanam, Chaliyar, Kabini , Bhavani Bharathapuzha, Mancheswararn, Uppal, Shiriya, Kallayi, Chaliyar, Kadalundi C handragin, Valapattanam, Kuppam, Mahe, Kuttiadi Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram, Valapattanam, Kallayi, Chaliyar, Kabini
16
17
18 19
Lebistes reticulatus
PristoZepis marginata
Chandu nama Psuedambassis ranga
Bharathapuzha, Kuppam, Valapattanam, Kuttiadi, Chaliyar, Kabini Chandragiri, Kariyamgode, Val apattanam, Chali yar, Thiroor, Kabini Bharathapuzha, Kabini, Chaliyar, Kadalundi Bharathapuzha, Valapattanam, Kuttiadi, Kallayi, Tiroor, Kabini
were restricted to hill streams. Two species were primarily hill stream fishes but were
distributed in other habitats also.
B. Current Status of hill stream fishes
Introduction
Hill stream fishes can be defined as the fishes which inhabiting the waters of high
altitude streams with adaptive modifications to strive in the prevailing habitat conditions. Hill
stream fishes mainly inhabit small mountain torrents, with the exception of certain species of
Garra which descend into streams of the lower reaches. Hill stream fishes may be classified
(Hora 1922) into two primary groups:
Temporary inhabitants: They do not show any special adaptations for life in torrential
streams and travel against the current by muscular effort. They live in hill streams for a period
and then migrate to lower reaches for food or shelter. Some members of the family
Cyprinidae, are large sized and they return to the lower streams to enjoy the larger water
column available there during summer; at the same time they migrate upwards during
monsoon for the reproduction. During tbe summer, many of the high altitude hill streams
experience water scarcity and they support only small fishes.
Permanent residents: These inhabit hill streams throughout their life and have special
adaptations for living in high altitude areas. They are not migrating the lower gradient streams
for any purpose like feeding, breeding etc. Members of the family Balitoridae and Sisoridae
are typical hill stream residents. During the breeding season they migrate further upwards and
at the time of summer they search for some perennial streams of hilly areas for survival. Fast
flowing waters of hill streams harbour plenty of dissolved oxygen, hence these fishes can
survive in the existing and available waters. More over, the members of these families are
very small fishes with a flat or cylindrical body, small and compact fins to facilitate their
living amongst pebbles and the main substrate. Some members of family Cyprinidae migrate
to lower gradient hill streams, rarely entering plains.
The factors affecting fish in hill streams Y.
(a) Water current, which is stronger when compared to the lower reaches, and varies
according to the season;
@) Food, which mainly consists of algal lime covering stones and rocks;
(c) Water is very clear and never very deep;
(d) Water is well aerated and constantly in motion.
All these conditions do not apply to pools that occurs in the course of hill streams and
the fish fauna of these pools are very different from that of the rapid current.
Adaptations
The general modifications for life in hill streams for fish are: (a) Greatly flattened
head and body; (b) The ventral profile is straight and horizontal and the dorsal profile is but
slightly arched; (c) Scales are small, and partly buried in the skin, or, totally absent, except in
the anal and scapular regions (e.g. Schizothoracinae); (d) The underside of body become
generally naked; (e) The outer rays of the paired fins are greatly thickened and much flattened
for adhesion. (e.g. Balitora sp.); (f) Posses a horizontally placed paired fins, to allow the
ventral surface to be firmly applied to the rocks.
The major hill stream fish families distributed in Kerala are the Balitoridae
(subfamilies: Balitorinae and Nemacheilinae), Sisoridae and Cyprinidae (subfamily:
Garrinae).
Results and discussion
A total of 41 hillstream fishes were recorded during the present study. Criteria adopted
for the freshwater fish categorisation iss followed here and the hill stream fishes are classified
into Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable (Threatened categories) and Low Risk-
Least Concern and Low Risk-Nearly Threatened (Non-threatened categories). Except seven
species, 35 species are categorised among threatened category. 20 species as Endangered, 9
species as Critically Endangered and 5 species as Vulnerable. This picture shows the high
risks faced by the hill stream fishes for their survival (Table 2.4).
Table 2.4: Status of hillstream fishes of northern Kerala
I
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
II
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 1 . 12
13
14
1 5
16
17
1 8
Species - -
Critically endangered - Puntius melanostigma
Tor tor
Horalabiosa joshuai
Chela fasciata
Amblyphapyngodon mola
Homaloptera montana - Nemacheilus munilis - -
Batasio travancoria
Glyptothorax anamalaiensis L
Endangered fishes
Hypselobarbus jerdoni _ _ _ _ I - - - - - - - - - -
H.currnuca - Osteochilus brevidorsalis - - Barbodes cavnaticus
Puntius denisonii
Pun tius dorsalis - Puntius wynadensis
Labeo ariza -
Labeo potail - Salmostoma acinaces
- Barbodes bendelisis
Garra gotyla stenorhyncus
G.mcClellandi - G.menoni _C
Balitora mysorensis
Nemacheilis denisonii - N.evezardi
___C
N.semiarmatus
Rivers
Kabini
Chandragiri
Bharathapuzha
Bharathapuzha 2
Kabini
Bharathapuzha
Bhavani
Chaliyar - Bharathapuzha
- Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri
- -
4
Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar /
Bharathapuzha, Kabini, Bhavani
Chandragiri, Valapattanam, Chaliyar - Bharathapuzha, Chalyar, Bhavani - Kabini - Kabini, Bhavani
Kabini, Bhavani
Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani
2
Bharathapuzha, Bhavani
Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani
Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar
Bharathapuzha, Bhavani
Bharathapuzha, Kabini, Bhavani
Bharathapuzha, Bhavani
Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri
Kabini, Bhavani
1 9 .. 20
III
1
2
3
4
5
IV
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Clarias dussumieri
Glyptothorar madraspatanus - Vulnerable fishes
Tor Wtudree malabaricus
Sicyoptems griseus
- Tetraodon travancoricus
Osteobrama bakeri
_IC
Bhavunia australis
Non-threatened fishes - Puntius rnelanampyx
Badiusbakeri
Barilius gatensis
Garra rnullya
Nemacheilus guentheri
Nernacheilus triangularis - Mystus malabaricus
Chaliyar, Kabini - Bharathapuzha, Kabini
Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram, Kariyamgode, Kuppam, Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani Chandragiri, Valapattanam, Kuppam, Mahe, Kuttiadi Bharathapuzha, Neeleswaram, Kariyamgode, Anc harakandi, Kall ayi, Chaliyar, Kadalundi Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Kaiyamgode, Chali yar Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Valapattanam, Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani
1 2 rivers (see table 2.7)
9 rivers (see table 2.7)
1 1 rivers (see table 2.7)
17 rivers (see table 2.7) P
10 rivers (see table 2.7)
13 rivers (see table 2.7)
12 rivers (see table 2.7)
C. Distribution of freshwater fishes of Northern Kerala
Major river systems of northern Kerala
Fish fauna is directly related to the various water resources of the area. Kerala is a
land of rivers, backwaters, wetlands and long coastal belt and hilly areas, the state is rich in
water resources. 44 rivers (41 west flowing and 3 east flowing) cut across the state with their
innumerable tributaries and branches, but these rivers are comparatively small when
compared to the larger river systems in South India and being entirely mons,oon-fed and
practically turn into rivulets in summer, especially in the upper areas.
River basins of northern Kerala are given in the table 1.1. The major river systems of
Kerala in terms of length and catchment area are 1. Bharathapuzha (length-209 krn;
catchment area-4400 h 2 ) , 2. Chaliyar (length-1 69 km; catchmentarea-253 5 h 2 ) , 3.
Kadalundi (length-1 30 km; catchment area- 1 122 krn2), 4. Valapattanam (length-1 10 krn;
catchment area- 132 1 kmt), 5. Chandragiri (length- 105 km; catchment area-570 km2). Total
Catchment area of the above river systems is 9948 km2, while the rest of the catchment area
(7L86 km2) is contributed by the remaining 19 rivers. Bharathapuzha and Chaliyar has its
catchment area in Tamil Nadu also, while six rivers (Kuppam, Valappattanam, Kariamgode,
Chandragiri, Shiriya and Uppala) has their catchment area extended towards the Kamataka
state also.
Results and disucussion
A total of 96 species, belonging to 53 genera of 24 families and 8 orders of fresh water
fishes were recorded from the 20 out of 24 rivers of northern Kerala (Table 2.6). The most
abundant family was Cyprinidae with representatives from 17 genera (45 species), followed
by the families Balitoridae and Bagridae, with members from 4 genera (9 species) and 3
genera (8 species) respectively (Fig. 2.2). The most abundant genera were Puntius (13
species), Mystus (6 species) and Nemacheilus (6 species).
Seven species were endemic to Kerala (Table 2.5), and 40 species are endemic to the
Western Ghats (Table 2.5). Of the six introduced species, two are found to be fieely breeding
in our waters (Oreochromis mossambica and Lebistes reticulata); and both these species are
included in the list of freshwater fish fauna of this area, the remaining four species Catla
catla, Cyprinus carpio comm unis, Cirrh inus mrigala and Cienop haryngodon idella are
common in the reservoirs but couldn't establish themselves in the introduced waters.
Diversity of fish fauna in various river systems: Bharathapuzha river harboured
highest number of freshwater fishes, where 77 species were recorded, followed by Chaliyar
(67), Kabini (59), Valapattanarn (55), Chandragiri (50) and Kariamgode (49) (Table 2. 6) . .
Nine species were uniformly distributed; Dayella malabarica, Danio aequipinnatus,
P. daniconius, Nandus nandus (in 20 rivers); Puntius vittattus (in 1 9 rivers); Puntius ticto,
Aplocheilus lineatus, Oreochromis mossambica and Macropodus cupanus (in 18 rivers).
Table 2.6: Systematic list of freshwater fishes collected from Northern Kerala
SI.No
1
2
3 P
- -
Species I. Order: Osteoglossiformes 1. Family: Notopteridae Notoptems notptenrs (Pallas)
' IV. Order: Cypriniformes 4. Family: Cyprinidae Subfamily: Cyprininae
1 6 1 If ierdoni (Dav) I EN I EWG I
TI. Order: Anguilliformes 2. Family: Anguillidae Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis (Gray) m. Order: Clupeiformes 3. Family: Clupeidae Dayella malabarica (Day)
I
4 5
17 1 Osteobrama bakeri Dav 1W I EK I
Status
VU
LR-NT
LR-LC
Endemism
Hypselobarbus curmuca (Ham.-Buch.) H. kurali Menon & Rema Devi
8 9
VU W
10 11
1 14 '1 P. chola (Ham.-Buch.) I LR-NT I 1
EWG EWG
Osteoc hilus brevidorsnlis (Day) 0. nashii (Day)
12 13
Barbodes carnaticus (Jerdon) B. sarana sabnasutus (Val.)
EN VIJ
Puntius amphibius (Val.) P. arulius (Jerdon)
15 16
EWG EWG
EN LR-LC
17 1 8
EWG EWG
LR-LC LR-NT
P. conchonius (Ham.-Buch.) P. den ison ii (Day)
EWG
P. dorsalis (Jerdon) P. fdamentosus (Val.)
VU EN EN LR-LC
EK
24 1 P. vittatus (Davl LR-LC I 1 25 26
P. wynaadensis Day Tor Wzudree malabaricus (Svkes)
EN VU
EWG EWG
27 28
- I
T. tor (Ham .-Buch.) Horulabiosa ioshuai Silas
CR CR EWG
29 30
Labeo ariza (Ham.-Buch.) L. ~ o t a i l (Svkes)
EN EN
133 1 Chela fasciuta Silas I EK
EWG EWG
3 1 32
Subfamily: Cultrinae S~lmostoma acinuces (Val .) S. boo~i s (Dav)
LR-LC I EWG 1 3 4
- - - - - -- - -
subfamily: Rasborinae Am blypharynyodon melettin us (Val .)
1 3 7 1 B. bendelisis (Ha.-Buch.) I EN I EWG 1
3 5 36
A.mola (Ham.-Buch.) Bcrrilius bakeri Day
38 39 40 41 42 43
1 1 Subfamilv: Garrinae I I 1
CR LW-NT
\ /
B. gutensis (Val.) Danio aequipinnotus (McCleliand) D.malaban'cus (Jerdon)
Horadndia attukorali brittani Rema Devi & Menon
EWG
Parluciosoma daniconius (Ham.-Buch.) Esomus danricus (Ham.-Buch.) Em thennoicos (Val.)
' CR
LW-NT LW-LC LW-LC LW-LC W EN
45 46 47
Subfamily: Balitorinae Bhavania australis (Jerdon)
, Balitora mysorensis Hora
EWG
- G. mullya ( S ykes) 5. Family: Balitoridae
W I EWG 1
Garra gotyln stenorhyncus (Jerdon) G. m cCleNandi (Jerdon) G-menoni Rema & Indra
LW-LC
EN 1 EWG I --- -
Homaloptera montana ~ & e Subfamily: Nemacheilinae Nemacheilis denisonii Day
, N. evezardi Day
EN EN EN
CR 1 EWG I
EWG EWG EWG
Nguentheri Day N. manilis Hora
EN EN LW-NT I EWG I
EWG '
EWG
CR 1 EWG I 56 57
Alsemiarmatus Day N. triangularis Day
EN LW-LC
EWG EWG
58 59
60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67
68 69
70
- 71 72
73 74
75
6. Family: Cobitidae Sn bfamily: Cobitinae Pangio goaensis (Tilak) Lepidocepkalus thermalis (Val .) V . Order: Siluriformes 7. FamiIy: Bagridae H o r a b a p brachysoma (Gunther) Batasio travancoria Hora & Law Mystus armatus (Day) M. cavasius (Ham.-Buch.) M. gulio (Ham.-Buch.) A
M. rnalabaricus (Jerdon) -
M. oculatus (Val .) M.punctatus (Jerdon) 8. Family: Clariidae Clorias batrachus (Linnaeus) C. dussumieri Val. 9. Fami1y:Heteropneustidae --c.
Heteropnwtus fossilis (Bloc h) 10. Family: Siluridae Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) Wallago attu (S chneider) 11. Family: Sisoridae Glyptothorax anamalaiensis Silas G. madraspatanus (Day) 12. Family: Belonidae Xenentodon cancila (Ham.-Buch.) 13. Family: Aplocheilidae
EN LW-LC
EN CR LW-LC EN VLJ LW-NT LW-LC EN
LW-LC EN
LW-NT
LW-LC LW-LC
CR EN
LW-LC
LW-LC
77
78
79 80 81
82
83
EK EK
EWG EWG
EWG EWG
VU
LW-NT
VU LW-LC VU
LW-LC
VU
14. Family: Poecilidae Lebistes reticulata Peters VI. Order: Syngnathiformes 15. Family: Syngnathidae Microphis cuncalus (Ham. -Buch .) VII. Order: Perciformes 16. Family: Ambassidae Chanda nama (Ham.-Buch.) Parambassis - thamassi p a y ) Pseudambassb ranga (Ham.-Buch.) 17. Family: Nandidae Subfamily: Nandinae Nandur nandus (Ham.-Buch.) Subfamily: Pristolepinae Pristolepis marginata (Jerdon) 18. Family: Cichlidae
EWG
EWG
Table 2.6, Riverwise distribution of freshwater fishes of Northern Kerala S1.No. Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 6 1 7 18 19 20Total
1 N. rr otpterus P P P P 4 2 A. berrgalertsis betzgalen sis P P P P P P P P P 9 3 Dayella malabarica P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 20 4 H.curmuca P P P 3 5 H. kurali P P P P P 5
6 H. jerdoni P P 2 7 Osteobranta bakeri P P P P 4
8 0, brevidorsalis P P 2
9 0,izashii P P P P 4 1 0 Barbodes carrzaticus P P P 3 I 1 B.sarana sabnasutus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 16 12 Puntius amphibirrs P P P P P P P P P P P P P , P P 15 1,3 P.arulius P P P P P P . P . P P P P 11 14 P. chola P . . . . P P P P P P P P P P P 12 15 P. corzchonius P P P P P 5 16 P. derzisoizii P P P 3 17 P. dorsalis P P P 3 1 8 P. filarnerttosrts P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17 1 9 P. 112 elulr antpyx P P P P P P P P P P P P 1 2 20 P. rnelai~ ostignt a P 1 21 P. yarralr P P P P 4 22 P. sophore P P P P P P P 7 23 P. ticto P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 18 24 P. rrittafus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 19 2 5 P. wyli adeizsis P 1 26 T. klzudrec rlr alnbaricus P P P P P P P P 8 27 T.tor P 1
28 H.josliuai P 1
29 Labeo ariza P P 2
30 Lopotail P P 2
3 1 Sacin aces P P P P 4 32 S.6oopis P P P P P P P P P P P P 12 3 3 Chela faseiata P 1 34 A.rneleltinus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17 35 A.mola . . . . . P 1 3 6 Barilius bakeri P P P P P P ... . , . P . . P P--- . . . . . 9 3 7 B. ben delisis P P 2 38 B. gatensis P P P P P P P P P P P 11 39 D.aequipirznatus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P . . . . P P P P P P 20 40 D.malabaricus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 14 41 P.daniconius . . . P , P P P P P P P P . P .- . P P P P . . . P . . P , P P P P 20 42 Esomus danricus P P P . - P . . P - . 5 43 E. therrnoicos P . . 1 44 ~.a#hkorali P 1 45 G.gotyla sterzorhyizcrrs P P P 3
4 6 G. nz c Clellatz di P P 2 47 G.nte~zoni P P 2 48 G.nzuifya P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17 49 Blzavarz ia australis P P P P P P 6 5 0 Balitora t~zj:sorert sis P P P 3 5 1 H. r ~ z ontan a P 1 5 2 N. derz isorz ii P P 2 5 3 N. evezardi P P 2 54 N.guentlteri P P P P P P P P P P 10 55 N.morrifis P 1 5 6 N-setn iarnz nfus P P 2
57 N. triarzgularis P P P P P P P P P P P P P 13 5 8 Partgio goae~zsis P 1 59 L. tlzermalis P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17 60 H. brachysonza ' P 1 61 Batasio travancoria P P 2 62 Mystus arm atus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 16 63 M. cavasius P P 2 64 M. gulio P P P P P P P 7 65. M.nl alabaricus P P P P P P P P P P P P 12 66 M.oculatus P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 16
67 M.punctatus P P P 3
6 8 Clurias batrach u s P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17 69 C.dussunzieri P P 2 70 EL fossilis P P P P P P P P P P P 11 7 1 Ontpok bimaculatus P P P P . . P P P P P P P P P P P 15
7 2 Waflago attu P P P P P P P P P P P P P 14
73 G.anam alaiensis P I 74 G. niadraspatarzus P P 2 7 5 Xerzentodorz cancila P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 17
76 Aplocheilus lirzcatrrs P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 18 7 7 Lebistes reticulatcrs P P P P P P 6 78 Microphis curtccrlus P P P P P P P 7 79 CIrnrzda ~zar~ta P P P P 4
80 P.tlzonrassi P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 16 8 1 Pseudarn bassis rnllga P P P P P P 6 8 2 Nartdus rtandcis P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 20
8 3 Pristoiepis margirzcra P P P P P P 6 84 Etroplus rrlnculatzis P P P P . P P P P P P P P P P P P 16
8 5 E. sri raterr sis P P P P P P P P P P P P 12
86 0. n&sant biica P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P =I 8 7 Glossugoblcrs giuris P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P 88 Sicyop ferus griseus- P P P P P 89 Anabas testudineus 90 M.cupanus 9 1 Clza~lna marulius 92 C. oriett talis 93 C.striatus 94 M. armatus 95 M. guentheri 96 T. travan coricus
Grand total
. . P P P P P P P P P P P P
P P P P P P . . - P- P P P P P P 'P- - - - -P P P P P
. . . . . . . . . . . . . P P P P P - P - P . P - P P P
P P P . . . . . . . . .
P P P P - P P P P P P P P P P P P P . P . -P P P , P . P .P P .P P P .P P-- - ..P P P
. . .
P . - - P P P
P P P P
, . . .
P=presen t . . . . . . - . . . . .
1 -5harathapuzha; 2. ~ancheswaram; 3. uppala; 4. Shiriya; 5. ~ o ~ r a l ; 6. ~handra~ir i ; 7. C hittari; 8. ~eeleswaram; . - .-
9. Kariyamgode; 10. Kuppam; 11. Valapattanam; 12. Ancharakandi; 13. ~ a h e ; 1 4 . ~uttiadi; i5 . ~ a l l a ~ i ; 16. . . ~haliyar; 17. Kadalundi; 18. ~ i roor : 19. Kabini: 20. Bhavani
D. Hill stream fishes: river wise distribution in northern Kerala
Results and discussion
A total of 41 species belonging to 6 families were recorded from the study area (Table
2.7). Bharathapuzha river harbours highest number of hill stream fish fauna (29 species), next
highest representations were as follows; Kabini and Bhavani (2 1 species), Chaliyar (1 9
species) and Chandragiri (1 6 species). The lowest representation was fiom Mancheswaram,
Kadalundi and Tiroor rivers (only one species). 64% of the species recorded was from the
family cyprinidae, followed by Balitoridae (22%), Bagridae (5%), Sisoridae (5%), Clariidae
(2%) and Gobiidae (2%). Most widely distributed species are as follows; G.mullya (17
rivers), N.triangularis (10 rivers), M.malaban'cus and P.melanampyx (12 rivers), B.gatensis
(1 1 rivers), B.bakeri (10 rivers). 33 species are categorised as permanent residents of hilly
areas, while 7 species are temporary inhabitants; of these G.mullya is found even in wetlands.
LW-LC LW-NT LW-LC
LW-LC VU
LW-NT
LW-LC
LW-LC LW-NT
-
VU
LW-LC LW-NT
VU lnerable; LW -NT-low risk-
84 85 86
87 88
89
90
91 92 93
94 95
96
nearly threatened; LW-lc-low risk -least concern; EK-endemic to Kerala; EWG- endemic to Western Ghats.
Etroplus maculatus (Bloch) E. sumtensis (Bloch) Oreochromis mossam bica (Peters) 19. Family: Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris (Ham.-Buch.) Sicy~pterus griseus (Day) 20. Family: Anabantidae Anabas testudineus (Bloch) 21. Family: Belontidae Macropodus cupnus (Val.) 22. Family: Channidae Channa marulius (Ham.-Buch.) C.orientalis Bloch & Schneider C-striatus (Bloch) - - - - - - - 23. Family: Mastacembelidae Maslacem belus armatus (Lace pede) Macrognathus guentheri (Day) V I I I . Order: Tetraodontiformes 24. Family: Tetraodontidae Tetraodon travancoricus Hora 8G Nair CR-cri tically endangered; EN-endangered; W - v u
SI.No. Species ,. p.-.-.p .- --
1 /~ .curmuca -.__ - --
2 H. Jerdoni
.
- -,-. 7 ' P. den isonii -.-a . -- - . - -- .
8 i P. dorsalis _A_ -
, - ..
---- -"
P , , !,, -_----.- I I
12 Xkhudree malabaricus P I :P 1 P I P I t-f- -8m
--
13 Xtor P 1 CR I
P 14 HJosh uai 1 C R 15 Labeo ariza 1 P P , 2 EN .- -+ :
16 L.potail P IP 2 ,EX 17- S. acinaces P P 3 EN ---
'
1 IP 18 Chela fasciata P I : -- - 1 CR I
,
19 A.mola I 1 P : 1 :CR
20 Barilius bakeri P P P P P P P 9 V U 2 1 B. ben de fisis P ' j i 22B.gatensis 1P !
23 G.got stenorhyncus . . ,
' 1 ; I 24 G. mcClellandi p : , p-
25 G-menoni - - P I j
26 1 G.mullya -- P J P P P P P ~ P P P P P ! P I P ! P .-.--- P ; !P / j jP 1 1 ,
27 / australis is , I , . P I P
3 (EN
- .- - . - . - -, .---- -- - - - - - -- - - . .-
-
P
--
--t-
1 Grand total I I I j j j ~ I I 1
-
!P=present; CR-Critically endangered; EN-Endangered; VU-Vulnerable; LW-Nf-Low risk-nearly threatened; n - - f L ~ ~ h w risk least concern I 1 1
--- ? l _ L i I i 1 1 T-1 I U I 1.Bharathapuzha; 2. Mancheswaram; --..- 3. Uppala; 4. Shiriya; 5. Mogral; 6. Chandragiri; 7. Chittari; 8.
_"9Kariyamgode; 10. Kupparn; l k .\lalapattanam: 12. Ancharakandi; 13. Mahe; 14. Kuttiadi; 15. Kallayi; 16. Ch!liyar; - m d Z n d i ; 98. Tiroor; 19, Kabini; 20. Bhavani 1
T i 17 I / ( I
Fig 2.1. Current status of freshwater flshes of nortehrn Kerala cR
20°/0
Fig 2.2. Number of freshwater fishes represented in various families
15 10
5 0
a, m
a, a, 0 0 a, m m m m m . W tl
n .- l3 u C 'C
n C
2 n o 'C - b o, c a
V ) r .- (0 0
c 2 a - m m m
C 0
0" CO m c n m 0
i5 E u 6
Fig 2. 3. Number of hill stream fishes represented in various families
30
25
g 20 E 2 I 5
2 10 k
5
0 a, QI Q) b) Q) 0
m '0
m 0 z z 'C 0 L
'C 2
. - .- 9 .- P 51 9
D a -
m m V) 0 .- 0" m
S
Fig. 2.4. Total number of hill stream fishes distributed in the rivers of Northern Kerala
35 -
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Rivers
E. Fish fauna of protected areas of northern Kerala
Introduction
A large number of dams have been constructed across many rivers of KeraIa in order
to use the water for irrigation and generation of hydro-power. As many of these dams are in
forest areas, their catchment areas has to be protected. The forest areas around the reservoirs
of dams such as Neyyar, Peppara, Chenduruni, Parambikulam, Peechi-Vazhani, Idukki and
Chimmony have been constituted as wildlife sanctuaries. There are 15 protected areas in '
Kerala, including national parks, totalling 2,308 km2 occupying 59% of the total area of the
state. The protection accorded to these catchment areas led to the protection of wild animals,
and now these areas really give refbge to many species of wild animals and plants (Basha,
1 997).
Of the 15 protected areas, the following three protected areas, viz., Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley National Park come under the study
area. Visual observation was taken from the Silent Valley National Park. The fish fauna
recorded from these protected areas are given below;
1. Way anad wildlife sanctuary
This sanctuary is contiguous with the Nagerhole and Bandipur sanctuaries of
Karnataka in the north and Mudurnalai sanctuary of Tamil Nadu in the south-east. It is
divided in to two blocks one near Sulatan Bathery and the other near Mananthavady. The
sanctuary forms part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Bavali river is the main river in the sanctuary which joins the Kabini and flows into
Karnataka state. Wild animals migrate fiom the Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries to
Wayanad for food and water during summer months. Plantations constitute of about 32% of
the total area. The buffer zone includes all the plantations and human settlements and the
tourism zone. Strong winds lashing during November to April are responsible for the spread
of fire, causing destruction to the habitat. There are some good swampy areas (vials) of
varying extends in the sanctuary area. The vials contain water through out the year, and are
the favourite hunts of wild animals (Basha, 1991).
Fish Fauna: This sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Rcserve and thc fish fauna
of the Kerala part of NBR was studied by Easa & Basha (1 985). However, a separate list of
fish species of the Wayanad WLS was not given by these studies. The present study reported
34 species belonging to 12 families from this sanctuary. Cyprinidae was recorded as the most
abundant family with 16 members (52%) (Fig. 2.5). Of these, four species were very rare, 8
species rare, 13 species common and 8 species very common and one species was exotic.
Osteobrama bakeri, Barbodes carnuticus, Amblypharyngodon mola and Tor khudree were
very rare. There have been no report of A. mola fiom Kerata after 194 1, and hence the record '
of this species fiom an east flowing river is very important. Anguilla bengalensis.
Hypselobarbus curm uca, Nemacheilus guenth eri, Mystus m ala baricus, Clarias batrachus,
Pristolepis marginata and Channa mahlius were the rare species recorded fiom this
s a c tuary .
2. Aralam wildlife sanctuary
The Aralam WLS (55 km2) is situated in the south-eastem side of Kannur dishict.
Tropical wet evergreen forests form the major vegetation type. The sanctuary has a compact
forest area with high diversity of biota. The plantation consist of about 291 ha. of teak, 169
ha. of eucalyptus and 30 ha. of cashew (Basha, 1991). The area is drained by the tributaries
of perennial rivers, Uruttipuzha and Chinkannipuzha.
Fish fauna: A total of 36 species belonging to 12 families were recorded from the
sanctuary area (Table 2.8). Cyprinidae was the most abundant family with 17 species (46%)
(Fig 2.3). Of these, four species were very rare, 12 species rare, 14 species common, G species
very common, and one species was an introduced one. Very rare species recorded fiom the
sanctuary were Hypselobarbus curmuca, H. kurali and Tor Khudree. Rare species recorded
were; Anguilh bengalensis, Osteochilichthys nashii, Pun tius denisonii, Barilius gatensis,
Bhavania australis, Nemacheilus guentheri, Heteropneustes fossilis, Ompok bimaculatus.
Pristolepis marginata, Etroplus suratensis, Channn marulius and Macrognathus guentheri.
0. nashii was a rare record from the west flowing rivers. It was first reported from the west
flowing rivers by Shaji el a1.(1996) from the same sanctuary. They also extended the range of
distribution of P. denisonii to northern Kerala.
3. Silent Valley National Park
Silent Valley National Park (89 km2), is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala. It
is bounded by the Nilgiris and the forests of Nilambur along the north and Attappadi reserve
forest along the south. Forests of Nilambur and Attappadi forms the western and eastern ,
boundaries respectively. Major vegetation types consists of wet evergreen forest and montane
grasslands and shola forests. The drainage system is formed by the river Kunthi and its
tributaries. Kunthi river is one of the major tributaries of Bharathapuzha river.
Fish fauna: Nineteen species were recorded from this area (Table 2.9). Rema Devi &
Indra (1986) aand Easa & Basha (1995) and reported 1 1 species from this area. These
included three new species viz., Homaloptera pillai, Homaloptera menoni and Garra menoni.
In the present study 19 species were recorded, of these 12 species are the new additions to the
fish fauna of silent valley; they were as follows, Mystus armatus, M. oculatus, Glyptothorar
anamaliensis, G. madraspatanus, Nemacheilus evezardi, Bhavania aust ralis, Gnrrn
mcClellandi, Parluciosoma dan iconius, Bnrilius ba keri, Hypselo barbus josh uui, Tor kh udree
and Osteochilur brevidorsalis. While the following three species, Channa gachua, Anguilla
bengalensis and Glyptothorax annandalei recorded by earlier workers were not collected
during the present study.
Discussion
Of the 15 protected areas, the fish fauna of one National Park and four sanctuaries
have been documented so far; Periyar Tiger Reserve (Chacko 1948, Zacharias eta 1. 1996,
Arun et al. 1996); Silent Valley NP (Rema Devi & Indra, 1986); the Kerala part of Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve (Easa & Basha, 1995); Aralarn Wildlife Sanctuary (Shaji et al. 1995) and
Chinnar WLS (Easa & Shaji, 1 996).
A total of 56 species, belonging to 15 families, were recorded from the protected areas
of northern Kerala. Members of the family Cyprinidae contributed more t3 the total fish
fauna. 9 species are uniformly distributed throughout these protected areas; Puntius
melanampyx, Tor khudree, Barilius bokeri, B-gatensis, Parluciosoma daniconius, Garra
mullya, Nernacheilus guentheri, N. triangularis and Myst us oculatus . The largest number of
species were recorded from Aralam wildlife sanctuary (38 species).
Table .. 2.8: Fish . . . . . . fauna - of Wildlife .. -. . . . . sanctuaries and National Park of northern Kerala. , ARA-""..'- .
SI.No- [spec!% - 7-------- ............ ~WYNAD STLENTVALLEY
........... ....... ........... !- - " -- - 1 1 A-bengalensis - , bengalensis-. I p I P 2 ; H.curmuca , , . i p P
...... ,_.. ..... - 1 . . , . . ...-. .......
3 j H. kurali .. ' P ...... - ..... .- ... . . - . . - - .. . . . . . . . . . . . -
. . P
i P . . . . . . . . . --{
P ........ - ... - --- -.-.- ..
........ --E I t ' - - - -
.... - .. - . . - - - - - - - . . - , . - - . . - - ..........
9 P deGsonii . - - - . -.
A 0 i P. filamentosus
.- - . . - .............. -- .- ... -. . - ... -. .....
G,gotyla stenorhyncus . . . -. -. .- ........... f
- - , .
3 1 N.guentheri P P P -pp--.-..... .-.. . . . . . . . .
32 N. triangularis -. - - - . .
P P --- - P
- - P P - -- - - -- - -- - -. - -, , ..... -
...... - . P -.
P P
.... ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I _. -- -
3 6 1 M. malabnricus , . . . . . . . . . ... , ............... - I P
37 i ~ ; ~ ~ ~ i ~ t ~ ~ - P 1 P . . . . . - - - . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . .-.--.-.. . . . - . .- . .... -
38 Clarins ., batrnchus j p .....-.. .. . . - . ........ - .----
4 1 / G. anarnnlaiensis .-----.. -_i._. . . ... .- . -. - .- -. -- i P
42 - + i G.madrrrspntn~~us . . .. ........ .. ., . ...... -- P ! 1 ----.
43 Xenentodon cn)iciln \ P .... ..... ......... ..-.
..........
. . . . . . -. P -.-- P
A
-. - - - - - - -. . - - - - - - - - . . -
. . - - - - - P
. -.- P
5 1 Channn marulius - - - . . - - - - - - . . - - . - - -. . , - . - . . , , , , . ,
--.. ... - - - - --
53 M. armatus . . . . - . . . . - . . . . . . . .. .. -.-
54 M. guentheri -... - - - -. - - ... - ... - - ... ....... ! ---
I . . ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ Grand total ............. -. - .. - .. -. ..... - . - - - .. - 3 8 1 - 31t f -- -- - 18 1
Fig. 2.5. Famllywis re resentation of stream fishes-Wynad WLS &,eE
6%
Fig. 2.6. Familywise representation of stream fishes -Aralam WLS Others
Mastacembelldae . . . . . . . 5%
Fig.2.7. Familywise representation of stream fishes -Silent Valley
............... ...............
Baliloridae 33%
F. Fish fauna of Bharathapuzha river system-a case study
The Bharathapuzha river is the longest river of the state and it takes its origin at an
elevation of >I964 rn above MSL from the eastern side of Anaimalai hills and flows through
the districts of Coimbatore, Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur and joins the Arabian sea
near Ponnani town. Its four main tributaries are Gayathripuzha, Chittoor puzha, Kalpathi
puzha and Thuthapuzha. All these tributaries have a large number of sub-tributaries. The
length of the river is 25 1 km. with a catchment area of 6 1 86 sq. km. Out of which 1786 sq.km
is in Tamil Nadu. The area of the basin spread over 1 1 taluks from Western Ghats to Arabian
Sea. In the present study the Thutha and Malampuzha tributaries lying north of palghat gap
were covered.
Collections were taken from 18 locations; 1) Thutha, 2) Puliyanpullithodu,
3) Mudukurissi, 4) Kulakattukurissi, 5) Chulliyamkula, 6) Kanjirampuzha, 7) Pulapatta,
8) Irumbakachola, 9) Meenvallam, 1 0) Kundampatti, 1 1) Irumban mutti, 1 2) Mukkali,
1 3 ) Kallamal, 14) Nilikkal, 1 5) Valiyaparathodu, 1 6) Malampuzha, 1 7) Walayar,
18) Punchola.
Table 2.10. Major physical and chemical parameters and total number of fishes
recorded at various collection sites of Bharathapuzha river (given numbers are the mean
of 8 obseravtions).
Collection sites 1. Thutha 2. Puliyanpultithodu 3. Mudukurissi 4. Kulakattukurissi 5. Chulliyamkulam 6. Kanjirampuzha 7. Pulapatta 8. lrum bakachola 9. Meenvallam 10. Kundampatti
No. of species -
38 51 47 47 42 41 37 38 38 --
Altitude (m msl)
4 5 7 120 125 150 150 155 160 180 21 0 215
1 I. lrumbanmutti 12. Mukkali 13. Kallamala 14. Nilikkal 15. Valiyaparathodu 16. Malarnpuzha 17. Walayar
230 550 600 950 970 550 325 70
38 35 22 13 10 34, 33
DO 6.4 6.4 6.7 6.8 6.3 6.7 6.6 7
7.2 6.8
18. Punchola d 8
7 7.4 6.8 6.2 7
6.8 6.9 ---- 6.8
PH --- 8.2 8.3 7.8 8.2 8.3 7.9 8.2 8.3 7.8 8.4
Tern p.(Oc) 24.5 25 24
24.3 28
25.2 25.4 23.4 23.3 24.8 --
8.3 8.6 8.4 8.6 8.6 7.8 7.7 7.6
21.3 21
24.4 24
23.3 24
24.7 27.8
Results and discussion
A total of 77 species belonging to 21 families were recorded from 18 collection sites
of this river (Table 2.9). Family Cyprinidae contributed 37 species to the total fish fauna
recorded, followed by Balitoridae (7 species) and Bagridae (6 species). This list of freshwater
fish fauna include six critically endangered species, 13 endangered species, 17 vulnerable
species and 4 1 non-threatened species.
Maximum fish diversity was noticed at Mudukurissi (5 1 species) collection site and
the least was at Meenvallarn (9 species). Diversity was less at the higher altitudes. Total
number of species showed a negative significant correlation with altitude (-0.694). Total
number of fishes also showed negative correlation with dissolved oxygen and pH (Table.
2.10).
! I
SI.No. Species 1 N. nototpterus . , ~~ ~-
I L 1 ! . /Grand total 45 3 8 ~7 47 . 42 41 - 37 -- 38 1 8 381 35% 9 3 4 p q 3 -I
1 Fpresen t - ~~
;Collection sites -.- 1 ..- .~ -~
T- -
i 1. Thutha -- -
10. Kundarnpatti - -..
I-- 11. lrurnbanrnutti 12. Mukkali
-- ~
13. Kallamala 7.
Table 2.1 1. Correlation studies-Bharathapuzha river
Correlations
Pearson ALTITUDE Correlation NUMBER
OXYGEN PH
I OXYGEN I 575 ,941 1 . 1 ,995 1 ,002 1
TEMP Sig. ALTITUDE (2-tailed) NUMBER
A ~ U D E 1.000 -694" ,106 ,478"
-.437
,001
PH TEMP
N ALTITUDE NUMBER OXYGEN PH TEMP
NUMBER -.694" 1.000 -.019 -269 ,045 ,001
". Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
'. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).
,045 ,070
18 18 18 18 18
OXYGEN ,106
-.019 1.000 ,001
-.690'* ,675 ,941
,281 .859
18 18 18 18 18
PH ,478'
-.269 ,001
1.000
TEMP -.437 ,045
-.690" -.373
-.373 1 1.000 ,045
,127
18 18 18 18 18
995 ~ ,002 ,127
,070
18 18 18 18 18
281 , ,859
18 18 18 18 18
F. General information of the typical hillstream fishes
1. Hypselobarbus curmuca (Ham. - Buch.)
Descriotion: D iv 9; A iii 5; P i 15; V i 8
Body with a convex dorsal profile and nearly horizontal ventral profile; cheek with a
band of pores; last unbranched ray of dorsal osseous but weak; lateral line with 38-42
scales (Plate. 3a).
Geomohical distribution: India: Western Ghats.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), Periyar Tiger
Reserve (Chacko 1948, Zacharias ef al. 1996), Ponnani drainage system, Anaimalai hills
(Silas 1951a), Manimala river, High Ranges (Silas 1951b), Chaliyar river, NBR (Easa &
Basha 1995).
(b) Present record: Bharathapuzha, Kabini (Wayanad WLS) Valapattanam, Chaliyar and
Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: Mainly inhabits deep and cool pools in the hilly regions; Talwar & Jhingaran
(1991) and Jayaram (1999) placed it under the genus Gonoproktopterus.
&&: Vulnerable.
2. Hypselobarbus kurali Menon & Rema Devi
Description: D 319; P 1/15-16; v 118-9; A 315-6.
Body with equally convexed dorsal and ventral profiles; four barbels, a weak articulated
last undivded ray with nine branched rays in dorsal fin; a deep black bar behind the gill
opening and the caudal tipped black; lateral line with 41-43 scales (Plate. Id).
Geomohical distribution: India: Kumaradhara, dakshina Kannada, Achenkovil river and
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala (Jayaram 1999).
Distribution in Kerala: a) Earlier records: Periyar Tiger Reserve (1996), Kallar river
(RemaDevi et al. 1996).
b) Present record: Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Kariyamgode, Valapattanam and Kuttiadi
rivers.
Remarks: All the adult males, in the breeding season, showed well developed horny
tubercles on sides of snout. In females only a few small tubercles are often present on the
- -! r I . ,
sides of the snout. Talwar and Jhingaran (1991) and Jayaram (1999) place it under the
genus Gonoproktopterus.
-: Vulnerable.
3. Osteobrama bakeri (Day)
Description: D iii 8; A iii 11; P i 12; V i 10
Body compressed considerably; abdominal edge sharp and trenchant between bases of
pelvic and anal fins, but rounded in front of pelvic fins; dorsal spine weak and serrated;
lateral line with 44 scales (Plate. 3c).
Geoaavhical distribution: India: Kerala.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), Chaliyar
river, NBR (Easa & Basha 1995).
@) Present records: Chandragiri, Chaliyar, Kariyamgode and Bharathapuzha rivers.
Remarks: It is an endemic fish of Kerala and the type locality of this species is from
Kottayam. Mainly this species is recorded from the rivers flowing through southern part
of Palghat Gap. Earlier records were froin the Travancore, the NBR,and the Periyar
Tiger Reserve.
Status: Vulnerable
4. Osteochilichthys nashii (Day)
Descrivtion: D iv 1 I; A iii 5-6; P i 14; V i 8.
Body oblong and compressed, its depth 3.2-3.6 times in standard length; snout
overhanging mouth; mouth broad and inferior; jaws compressed with a homy
cartilaginous covering; lips simple and continuous at angles of month, lower lip between
lateral portions of labial groove considerably behind tip of lower jaw to which it is firmly
attached; barbels absent; a black lateral band from eye to caudal fin; dorsal with dark
band on middle and a band on anal fin.
Geoaavhical d i s t r i w : India- Western Ghats of Kamataka and Kerala.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Kabini, Chaliyar and Bhavani rivers of NBR
(Easa & Basha 1995)
@) F'resent record: Chandragiri, Chaliyar, Kabini, Bhavani and Valapattanam rivers.
Plate 2
Mastacenibelus gueittheri (Day )
Remarks: It mainly inhabits hilly areas; so far , it was h o w n from the NBR, present
study extends the distribution to Chandragiri, Periyar, and Valapattanam rivers.
Status: Vulnerable.
5. Osteochilus brevidorsalis Day
Descriution: D iv 11-12; A iii 5-6; P i 14; V i 8.
Body oblong and compressed with a swollen snout and overhanging jaws. Three rows of
large pores across snout. Mouth inferior, a thin cartilaginous covering to both jaws. Last
unbranched dorsal finray a strong and osseous spine and barbels are absent.
Geomauhical distribution: Western Ghats of Kerala (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) (Easa &
Basha 1995).
@) Present record: Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar.
Status: Endangered.
6. Barbodes carnaticus (Jerdon)
Descriution: D iv 8; A ii-iii 5; P i 14; V i 8.
Body elongate, 2.5-3.4 times in standard length; lips moderately fleshy; Barbels two
pairs; dorsal fin inserted slightly nearer to snout tip; large scales; lateral line complete
with 28-32 scales; rostra1 barbels black (Plate. Ic).
Geomhical distribution: India: Cauvery and Krishna river systems, Nilgiri, Wayanad
and Canara Hills; introduced into Octacamud (Ootty) and other lakes and reservoirs
(Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: The Nelliampathy Hill ranges (Silas 1951),
Kabini river, NBR (Easa & Basha 19953.
@) Present record: Bharathapuzha, Kabini and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: They are abundant in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (Biju et al., 1998).
Jayaram (1999) and Talwar & Jhingran (1991) treated it as Puntius carnaticus.
Status: Endangered. -
7. Puntius denisonii (Day)
Description: D ii-iii 8; A iii 5; P i 14; V i 8.
Body rather deep, its depth about 3.75 times in standard length; barbels one maxillary
pair only; dorsal fin inserted nearer to snout tip, its last unbranched ray non-osseous;
lateral line complete with 28 scales, a black band running horizontally from snout tip to
caudal fin; caudal with an oblique black band crossing the posterior third of each lobe.
Geoma~hical distribution: India: Travancore hill range, Kerala (Talwar & Jhingran
1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), Chaliyar
river, theNBR (Easa & Basha 1995), Aralam WLS (Shaji et al. 1995).
(b) Present record: Chandragiri, Valapattanam and Chaliyar rivers.
Remarks: It is considered to be an endemic species to Kerala. Type locality of the species
is Mundakayam, Manimala river, Travancore hill ranges. It inhabits mainly highland
areas. Often seen in shoals near the banks. Shaji et al. (1995) extended its distribution to
northern Kerala.
Status: Endangered.
8. Puntius dorsalis (Jerdon).
Descrbtion: D iii-iv 8; A iii 5; P i-ii 14; V i 8.
Depth of the body about 3.5 times in standaard length; barbels one pair of maxillary only;
porsal fin inserted nearer to base of caudal fin, last unbranched ray osseous; lateral line
complete with 22-28 scales; a black blotch on caudal fin (Plate lb).
Geographical distribution: India: Cauvary and Krishna river systems in Andhra Pradesh,
Kamataka, Kemla; Mahanadi in Orissa; Narmada at Houshangabad and Sri Lanka
(Jayaram 1999).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Ponnani drainage, Anaimalai hills (Silas
1951), southern Travancore (Silas 1951) and Chaliyar river (Easa & Basha 1995).
(b) Present record: Bharathapuzha, Chalyar and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: It has been proved to be useful in guinea worm control, occurs mainly in
midland regions.
m: Vulnerable
9. Puntius melanostigmaDay
Description: D ii 8; A ii 5; P i 14; V i 8.
Body elongate, its depth 2.8 to 3 times in standard length. Barbels one pair. Dorsal fin
inserted equidistant between tip of snout and base of caudal fin, its last unbranched ray
feebly osseous and smooth and a deep black blotch on base of caudal fin.
Geoma~hical distribution: Cauvery river, Wayanad hills and Bhavani river of Soth India
(Talwar & Jhingran 199 1).
Distribution in northern Kerala: Kabini
Status: Critically Endangered
10. Hypselobarbus jerdoni (Day)
Descri~tion: D iii-iv 9; A iii 5; P i 13-14; V i 8.
Body fairly deep, its depth 2.7-3 times in standard length; barbels two pairs; dorsal fin
inserted equidistant between snout tip and base of caudal fin, its last unbranched ray non-
osseous; lateral line complete with 26-32 scales.
Geoma~hical distribution: India: south Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra
(Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in northern Kerala: Chandragiri and Bharathapuzha rivers.
Remarks: Talwar & Jhingran (1991) and Jayaram (1999) treated it as Puntius, while
Menon & Rema Devi (1995) revived the bleekerian name Hypselobarbus. Addition to the
fish fauna of Kerala.
Status_: Vulnerable
11. Puntius fasciatus (melanampyx) (Day)
Description: D iii 8; A ii 5; P i 14; V i 7.
Body elongate, its depth 2.5-2.8 times in standard length; barbels two pairs; dorsal fin
inserted equidistant between snout tip and base of caudal fin, its last unbranched ray non-
osseous; lateral line complete with 18-20 scales; body deep dull red with 3-4 vertical
black bands, the first below dorsal fin to just below lateral line, second slightly behind
base of dorsal fin and the third before base of caudal fin (Plate. la).
Geoma~hical distribution: Peninsular India: Upper reaches of Cauvery drainage and
further south to Cape; also western watersheds draining south Canara, Malabar and
Travancore (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in northern Kerala: 12 rivers of northern Kerala.
Remarks: Endemic to the southern parts of the Western Ghats. It is mainly found in
Wayanad, Anaimalai and Cardamom hill ranges and also in the upper reaches of Cauvery
river system. It does not grow more than 5-6cm. It mainly inhabits hilly areas. Though it
is a good aquarium fish it has not been commercially exploited.
Status: Non-threatened (LR-lc)
12. Tor khudree malabaricus (Sykes)
Description: D iv 9; A ii 7; P i 14; V i 8.
Body elongate, its depth equal to length of head; eyes small visible from under side of
head; mouth moderate; lips fleshy, lower lip produced into a medium lobe of varying
length; barbels hvo pairs; lateral line with 25-27 scales; lateral side of snout covered with
a patch of small indistinct tubercles (Plate. 3a).
Geomaphical distribution: India: Madhya Pradesh, Deccan and entire Peninsular India;
and Sri Lanka (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), Periyar Tiger
Reserve (Chacko 1948, Zacharias et al. 1996), Vandiperiyar river, High Ranges (Silas
1951), Ponnani drinage system, Anaimalai hills (Silas 1951); southern Travancore (Silas
1949), Chaliyar river, NBR (Easa & Basha 1995).
(b) Present record northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram,
Kariyamgode, Kuppam, Chaliyar, Kabini and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: It is popularly known as Yellow Mahseer and is an endangered species in
India, but vulnerable in Kerala. It is distributed in the Peninsular India specially in
Kerala; Karnataka and Maharashtra hill streams. This is an important species for angling
and food. It is becoming endangered because of over exploitation. Now it exists in 8
rivers, more abundant in Bharathapuzha and Kabini rivers.
Status: Vulnerable.
Plate 4
13. Tor tor (Ham. - Buch.)
Description: D iv 8; A iii 5; P i 14-17; V i 8.
Body stout and fairly deep, its depth 3-3.7 times in standard length; head relatively small;
lips fleshy; barbels two pairs; scales large, lateral line with 22-27 scales; snout and
cheeks smooth, devoid of tubercles.
Geoma~hical distribution: Pakistan; India: Sub-Himalyan range, Ganga and Narmada
river systems; and Bangladesh (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: Chandragiri river
Remarks: Addition to the fish fauna of Kerala and also the first report from south India. It
was recorded from the hilly areas of the Chandragiri river, north of Palghat Gap. Its
habitat is characterised by the presence of rocky bottom with deep pools. Density of this
species are now fast depleting in the rivers of Narmada, Tapti and Chambal of northern
India (Talwar & Jhingran 1991), in this context the present finding of this species is
important. Its voracious feeding habit (particularly higher submerged plants) can be
utilised in biological control of water weeds (Tilak & Sharma 1982). Thomas & Asiz
(1999) also recorded it from Peppara reservoir.
m: Critically Endangered (CR).
14. Salmostoma acinaces (Val.)
Description: D iii 7; A ii-iii 14-17; P i 14; V i 8.
Body elongate and compressed, with a more convex ventral profile; lower jaw with a
rudimentary symphysial process; dorsal fin inserted above or slightly behind origin of
anal fin; scales large; lateral line slightly covered with 42-46 scales.
Geoma~hical distribution: India: Cauvery river system; Bhavani river, wayanad; Hoogly
river (West Bengal) (Jayaram 1999)
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Chinnar WLS (Easa & Shaji 1996), Kabini ans
Bhavani, the NBR (Easa & Basha 1995).
(b) Present record northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Kabini, and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: This species attains a length of about 15 cm.. It is a benthic insectivore. Mainly
seen in the high and midland regions.
Status: Vulnerable
15. Salmostoma boopis (Day)
Description: D iii 7; A iii 12-14; P i 14; V i 8.
Body with a more convex ventral profile; lower jaw with a rudimentary symphysial
process; dorsal fin inserted well anterior to anal fin; lateral line slightly curved with 39-42
scales (Plate. 4c).
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats: south Canara and Poona.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), Pambar river
and Pamba river (Rema Devi & Indra 1996), Kabini and Chaliyar rivers (Easa & Basha
1995)
@) Present record northern Kerala: 13 rivers of northern Kerala.
Remarks: Endemic to the central and southern region of the Western Ghats. It attains
about 12 cm. in length. It occurs in the middle and lower reaches of river system and
were not recorded from the higher reaches. They are found in good numbers, distributed
in most of the major rivers.
m: Non-threatened (LR-lc)
16. Chela fasciata Silas
Description: D ii 7; A iii 14-15; P i 8-9; V i 5-6.
Head slightly turned upwards; mouth small, obliquely directed upwards; pectoral fins
long, extending much beyond the origin of anal fin; lateral line complete with 33-34
scales; a dark broad lateral stripe on sides, commencing just behind eye and runs along
middle of the body to about the caudal fin base.
Geoaaphical distribution: Peninsular India: Anaimalai hills.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Nelliampathy Hills (Silas 195 1)
(b) Present record: Bharathapuzha river.
Remarks: Type locality of the species is Anamalai river at Vannathurai, Kerala. After the
original description, this is the second report from Kerala which also extends its
distribution range to the northern part of Palghat Gap. Jayaram (1999) classified this
species under the subfamily Danioninae (= Rasborinae) and the Tribe Danioni.
m: Critically Endangered.
17. Amblypharyngodon mola (Ham. - Buch.)
Description: D ii-iii 7; A ii-iii 5-6; P i 13-15; V i 8.
Body elongate, its depth 3.5 - 3.8 times in standard length; eyes large; scales small;
lateral line incomplete with 65 - 91 scales, 9-10 scale rows between lateral line and pelvic
fin base; a broad silvery lateral band on body; dorasl, anal and caudal fins with dark
markings.
Geomavhical distribution: Pakisthan: Indus plain and adjoining hills; India: through out
the country (except Kerala); Bangladesh and Myanmar (Talwar & Jhingran 1991,
Jayaram 1999).
Dishibution in Kerala: Travancore (past record).
Present record: Kabini river
Remarks: Hora and Law (1941) mentioned the presence of this species from the
Travancore region of Kerala. The present study confirmed its occurrence in Kerala.
Inhabits mainly highland streams.
Status: Endangered
18. Barilius bakeri Day
Description: D ii-iii 10; A ii-iii 14; P i 14; V i 8.
Body deep; jaws short, maxilla extends to below middle of orbit, barbels absent; dorsal
fin inserted in advance of anal fin; lateral line with 37 - 38 scales; tubercles large and
well-developed on snout and lower jaw; body with a row of large bluish spots along the
flanks; dorsal, anal and pectoral fins with dark grey bases, their edges white (Plate. 3d).
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Kerala.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Most of the earlier studies recorded this
species from various river systems of Kerala.
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Chaliyar,
Kariyangode, Kabini, Bhavani, Kuppam, Valapattanam and Ancharakandi rivers.
Remarks: It is endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala. It was so far recorded in hill streams,
probably due to its requirements of micro habitat features like good velocity of water,
low temperature, less turbidity and good shade, available in the hill streams. Jayaram
(1999) classified it under the subfamily Danioninae and Tribe Oxygasterinae.
Status: Non-threatened (LR - nt)
19. Barilius bendelisis (Ham. - Buch.)
Description: D ii 7; A ii-iii 7-8; P i 14; V i 8.
Body shallow; barbels two pairs; dorsal fin inserted entirely in advance of anal fin; scales
moderate size; lateral line with 40-45 scales; 8-12 dark bands descending towards the
lateral line which become indistinct in adults (Plate. 4b).
Geomaphical distribution: Pakistan; India: Nepal; Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Chinnar WLS and Periyar Tiger Reserve
(b) Present record: Bharathapuzha and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: Jayaram (1999) classified it under the subfamily Danioninae and Tribe
Oxygasterinae. According to Talwar & Jhingran (1991) it was cosidered to be present
throughout India except Kerala. Chacko (1948) recorded it from Periyar lake, but
Jayaram (1981) and Talwar & Jhingran (1991) considered that this might be an
erroneous record. Shaji & Easa (1996) reported it from east flowing Pambar river. The
present record of this species from Chalakudy and Bharathapuzha is the first report from
west flowing rivers.
Status: Endangered
20. Barilius gatensis (Val.)
Description: D ii-iii 8-9; A iii 12-14; P i 14; V i 8.
Body deep; its depth 3.2 - 3.5 times in standard length; jaws short, maxilla extends to
below middle of orbit; barbels one pair; dorsal fin inserted in advance of anal fin; lateral
line with 39-40 scales; snout and lower jaw covered with well developed tubercles; body
with 13 - 14 vertical bars descending from back, becoming more or less broken up in the
adult; dorsal and anal fins with dark bases and light edges (Plate. 4a).
Geoeraphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Maharashtra, southern Karnataka,
Kerala; and the Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu).
Distribution in Kerala: Most of the earlier studies conducted in Kerala recorded this
species from various rivers.
Present record northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram,
Kariyamgode, Kuppam, Valpattanam, Mahe, Kuttiadi, Chaliyar, Kabini and Bhavani
rivers.
Remarks: It is endemic to central and southern Western Ghats and is found only in the
hill streams. Jayaram (1999) classified it under the subfamily Danioninae and Tribe
Oxygasterinae.
Status: Non-threatened (LR - nt).
21. Garra mcCIeI1andi (Jerdon)
Descri~tion: D ii-iii 8; A i-ii 5; P i 5; V i 8.
Snout tip marked off by a transverse groove, and with a large number of prominent
tubercular areas; mental disc well developed; lateral line with 35-38 scales.
Geographical distribution: India: Cauvery drainage, Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu (Jayaram
1999).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier reports: Chaliyar river, NBR (Easa & Basha 1995) and
Periyar Tiger Reserve (Amn et al. 1996).
(b) Present record from northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha and Chaliyar rivers.
Status: Endangered
22. Garra menoni Rema Devi and Indra
Description: D 3/74; P 11 12-15; V 117- 8. A 2-315.
Depth of the body 5.29 and length of the head 4.23 in standard length; width of head 1.3,
snout 2.01, eye 5.7 in length of head; pupil of the eye either in the middle or a little
behind the middle of the length of the head; snout round and smooth, the male with fine
tubercles; two pairs of tubercles, smaller than the diameter of eye; mental disc well
developed; lateral line with 32-36 scales; chest and belly naked.
Geoma~hical distribution: River Kunthi, tributary of Bharathapuzha, Silent Valley,
Kerala (Type locality).
Distribution in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: Besides its type locality at Kunthi river, it also recorded from Chinnar Wildlife
Sanctuary and Bhavani river. Inhabits hilly areas.
Status: Endangered
1) G m n1~ .., - (Sykc . , , . . --- - - - -
- ' - 6 . ..- . . . - . . 3 - v ,.:-- 5.
'.Y - e - I - . . . .
, >:- -; 2 .:I: . , . . .. ., , - . ..-?' -
- , '&-. , . . .,.. . .rl
23. Garra rnullya (Sykes)
Descrivtion: D 3/74; P 11 12-15; V 117- 8. A 2-315. . Snout rounded and smooth, with the tip marked off by a transverse groove; interorbital
region somewhat convex; suctorial disc small and well developed; a dark dusky blotch at
caudal fin base (Plate. 5a).
Geoeravhical distribution: India: Throughout India except Assam and Himalayas (Talwar
& Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: recorded from 17 rivers of northern Kerala.
Remarks: It is the most widely distributed species of the genus. They are highly adapted
to a life in fast flowing water. Also seen in lowland areas. There is a considerable
controversy over its classification as this species is still in the process of adaptation (Hora
1921). Hence it is an interesting genus for further studies on evolution and systamatics.
m: Non-threatened (LR-lc)
-
24: Garra gotyla stenorhyncus (Jerdon)
Description: D iii 7-8; A ii 5; P i 14; V i 8.
Snout with a well developed median proboscis and transverse lobe at the tip; free
extremity of the proboscis, transverse lobe and lateral sides of head in front of nostrils
covered with several large horny tubercles; breast and belly scaled.
Geomaphical distribution: India: Cauvery and Krishna drainages, Western Ghats.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Kerala part of NBR, Chinnar WLS (Easa &
Shaji 1996), and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Zacharias et al. 1996).
(b) Present record northern Kerala: Kabini, Bhavani and Chaliyar rivers.
Remarks: Reports on its occurrence are all from the east flowing rivers of Kerala,
whereas the reports from west flowing rivers was by Reghunathan (1995), present record
confinned its occurrence in west flowing rivers.
Status: Endangered
25. Horalabiosa joshuai Silas
Description: D 317-8; A 2-315; P 1/12-14; V 116-7.
It is chamcterised by the presence of a post-labial callous structure in the mental region
which is minutely and sparsely papillated. It can be differentiated from genus Garru by . the nature of rostrum, the mental region and the gut length/ body length ratio (Plate. 4d).
Geographical distribution: Western Ghats; Tambrapami river and Silent Valley.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier record: Silent Valley.
@)Present record northern Kerala: Silent Valley.
Remarks: The first report of the species from Kerala was from Silent Valley; the present
record from Pambar river shows its range extension to southem Kerala. For a number of
years this genus was considered as hybrid between Garra and Rasbora. The record of 598
specimens from the type locality by Rema Devi (1992) established its validity.
Status: Critically Endangered
26. Bhavania australis (Jerdon)
Description: D ii 7-9; A I 5-6; P vi-vii 9-1 1; V ii 7- 8.
H e a and anterior part of body greatly depressed, the ventral surface flat and horizontal;
head broad and rounded covered with spine-like growths; inferior mouth, lips are thick
and fleshy; three pairs of barbels; lateral line with 70-75 scales (Plate 5b).
Adaptations: Body depressed with flat and horizontal ventral surface; mouth inferior with
thick and fleshy lips, which helps in feeding from the substratum; well spread and
horizontally placed pectoral fins.
m: Prefers a habitat with a rocky surface as substrate; high velocity of water; low
water temperature; often seen in high altitude areas. In the present study, they were
collected mostly from reserve forest areas.
l&g&: Habitat alteration by deforestation.
Geogra~hical distribution: India: extreme south of Western Ghats of Kamataka, Nilgiris
and Kerala (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore, Periyar Tiger Reserve (Arun et 01.
1996). High ranges of Travancore (Silas 1951).
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Chandragiri, Bharathapuzha, Chaliyar, Kabini,
Valapattanam and Bhavani rivers.
Status: Vulnerable
27. Balitora mysorensis Hora
Description: D ii-iii 8-9; A ii 5; P viii-ix 10-1 1; V ii 9.
Body depressed; eye diameter 6-6.2 times in head length; scales small, absent on chest
and belly; lateral line with 63-65 scales (Plate. 5c).
Adaptations: Flattened head and body; Scales small, absent on chest and belly;
fin rays with adhesive pads on the ventral surface, which enables them to stick to the
substratum; paired fins are enlarged and horizontally oriented.
w: It inhabits mainly the torrential streams with high flow and prefers a habitat with
boulders and bedrock as major substrates. The substrate distribution in the present
collection site was detritus (5%), sand (5%), cobble (5%), boulder (20%), and bedrock
(65%).
Threats: Habitat alteration by deforestation and dynamiting; pollution from the
neighboring plantation.
Geoaa~hical distribution: India: Western Ghats: Cauvery and Thungabadra river systems
in Karnataka and Kolhapur (Maharashtra) (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in northern Kerala: Kabini, Bhavani and Bharathapuzha rivers.
Remarks: Easa & Basha (1995) reported this from an east flowing river, Bhavani river, in
the Kerala part of the NBR. The present study recorded this species from the
Thippallikayamthodu, sub tributary of Bharathapuzha river system. It is the first record of
this species from the west flowing rivers of Kerala.
Status: Endangered
28. Homaloptera Montana Herre
Description: D ii 7; A ii 5; P iv 8; V ii 6-7
Body slender and head is as broad as long. Dorsal fin inserted behind origin of pelvic
fins.Lateral line scales 70-72. Mouth small and inferior with fleshy lips, upper lip well
developed and overhanging the lower.
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats (Anamali hills and Silent Valley)
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Chalakudy river Shaji and Easa (2001).
@) Present record in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha river.
29. Nemacheilus denisoni denisoni Day . Description: D iii 8; A ii-iii 5; P 19-10; V 16.
Body marked with varying number of brown bands from dorsal to ventral surface of
body, more distinct behind dorsal fin but often totally absent on flanks, the bands broader
than light interspaces; a blackish spot at base the of dorsal fin origin. Dorsal and caudal
fins with varying rows of well-marked brownish spots.
Adaptations: refer Nemacheilus guentheri
w: Prefers hilly areas with pebbles, cobbles and bedrock with a little amount of
sand, as the main substrate. In midland areas, gravel with pebble forms the main
substrate.
Threats : Habitat alteration by deforestation and sand mining and exploitative fishing by
poisoning and explosives also affect this species, even though it is not targeted.
Geoma~hical distribution: India: Chota Nagpur plateau (Bihar) and Bastar (Madhya
Pradesh).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: High Ranges (Silas 1951); Pamba river
(Menon 1987); Bhavani river (Easa & Basha 1995).
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha and Bhavani rivers.
Remarks: According to Silas (1951) its distribution has been extended upto High Ranges,
Peermed hills, collected four species from Vandiperiyar river and seven from Pasuparai
estate, Peermed hills. Jayaram (1999) placed it under the genus Schistura.
m: Endangered.
30. Nemacheilus evezardi Day
Description: D iii 7; A ii 5; P I 10-1 1; V 16-7.
Colour of body greenish or yellowish with 9-18 brown vertical stripes from back to
ventral side, the stripes often interrupted or incomplete, some fairly curved and oblique,
others V- or Y- shaped; big round spots on the head; a vertical dark stripe at base of
caudal fin; a small dark spot at base of dorsal-fin origin.
Adaptations: refer Nemacheilus guentheri - m: Prefers hilly areas with cobbles and boulders with a little amount of gravel, sand
and detritus as main substrate. Collected from forest areas with shrubs and trees as the
main riparian vegetation.
Threats: No special disturbances observed in the collection locality, but their number was
very little in the catches.
Geographical distribution: Western Ghats: Krishna and Godavari basins; and Satpura
range: Pachmari hills (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941); Kerala part of
NBR (Easa & Basha 1995) and Periyar Tiger Reserve (Zacharias et al. 1996).
@) Present record: Chandragiri river.
Remarks: Jayaram (1999) placed it under the genus Oreonectes. It inhabits mainly the
highland areas.
m: Endangered.
31. Nemacheilus guentheri Day
Description: D iii 8; A ii 5; P i 10; V 16-7.
Colour of the body is dark brown with three rows of whitish spots of different sizes and
form; a deep short vertical bar at base of caudal fin; a spot on dorsal fin origin. Dorsal
and caudal fins with 3 - 4 rows of spots (Plate 6a).
Ada~tations: Body somewhat cylindrical with head and anterior part of body fairly
flattened; fins smaller and compact to facilitate their living amongst gravel and pebbles in
swift running water.
w: Prefers hilly areas with gravel, cobbles and bedrock with a little amount of sand,
as the substrate. In midland areas, gravel with pebble forms the main substrate.
m: Habitat alteration by deforestation and sand mining and exploitative fishing by
poisoning and explosives also affect this species, even though it is not targeted.
Geomaphical distribution: Peninsular India: Western Ghats.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Travancore (Hora & Law 1941), High Ranges
(Silas 1951), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Arun et al. 1996), Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (Easa
& Shaji 1996), Silent Valley NP (Rema Devi & Indra 1986).
-- a) Mystas mums fYsrl*)
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha, Chandragiri, Neeleswaram,
Kuppam, Valapattanam, Mahe, Kuttiadi, Chaliyar, Kabini and Bhavani rivers in Kerala.
Remarks: Jayaram (1999) considers it under the genus Mesonemacheilus. Hora and Law
(1941) have re described this species from two specimens obtained from Pambadumpara,
High Range area. It is common in the mid and highland areas among the small stones.
They were seen in groups as in other loaches.
&@g: Non threatened (LR- nt)
32. Nemacheilus monilis Hora
Description: D iii 7; A ii 5; P I 9; V I 7.
Colour of the body is dirty white and somewhat infuscated along back; a distinct
moniliform black band along line from tip of snout to base of caudal fin, interrupted by
eye in its course; the last component of black spots in the series more prominent; the band
continued as a black streak in middle of caudal fin; barbels streaked with black.
Adaptations: refer Nemacheilus guentheri
w: Prefers high altitude areas with gravel, pebbles and cobbles as the main
substrate. This species was collected from forest areas with shrubs and trees as the main
riparian vegetation.
m: No special disturbances observed in the collection locality, but only a single
specimen was collected from there.
Geographical distribution: India; Western Ghats: Nilgiris.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Bhavani river, NBR (Easa & Basha 1995);
Pambar river (Biju et al. 2000)
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Bhavani river.
Remarks: Hora (1921) recorded it from Bhavani river, at Mettupalayam, base of Nilgiris.
Biju et a1 (2000) recorded it from Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki district which
extended its distribution to southern Kerala. Both the records are from east flowing
rivers; no report from west flowing rivers. Present study confirmed its occurrence in
Status: Endangered (EN).
33. Nemacheilus semiarmatus Day
Description: D ii-iii 8; A ii 5, P I 10; V 16.
Body and sides of head with conspicuous irregularly scattered black dots more distinct
posteriorly, and rows of black spots on dorsal and caudal fins; the bands in the anterior
region coalesce with growth, and those of posterior region become much wider than
interspaces; black band below eye and another in front of it running below nostrils.
Dorsal fin with three rows of dots; anal fin with a row of dots; ventral fins and caudal fin
with several rows of dots.
Adaptations: refer Nemacheilus guentheri.
Habitat: Prefers high altitude areas with sand, gravel and cobbles as the main substrate -- and with a high velocity of water.
m: No disturbances were noticed at the collection area.
Geomaphical distribution: Peninsular India: Cauvery basin in Wayanad, Nilgiris and
Mysore; and Silent Valley.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Bhavani and Kabini rivers, NBR (Easa &
Basha 1995), Cauvery basin in Wayanad and Silent Valley (Talwar & Jhingran 1991).
Pambar river (Chinnar WLS) (Biju, et al. 2000).
(b) Present record: Kabini and Bhavani rivers
Remarks: The present study reveals its occurrence in northern Kerala. Jayaram (1999)
placed it under the genus Schistura.
w: Endangered.
34. Nemacheilus triangularis Day
Descrivtion: D ii 8; A ii 5, P I 10; V 17.
Colour of the body varies considerably with age; ground colour greyish with yellowish
bands edged with black on body, usually seven, the anterior five directed obliquely
backwards, and last two vertical; several yellowish patches of different patterns above
lateral line; a dusky blotch on the base of caudal fin. Dorsal and caudal fins with two
bands each; and anal and pelvic fins with one each (Plate 5d).
Adaptations: Body cylindrical; fins smaller and compact to facilitate their living amongst
pebbles and cobbles in swift running water.
Mainly inhabits the hilly areas. Also seen in midland areas with gravel and
pebbles as the main substrate.
m: Habitat alteration and pollution.
Geogravhical distribution: Peninsular India: Western Ghats; Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: High Ranges of Travancore, Kerala part of
NBR, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Nelliampathy and Anaimali Hills, Silent Valley and Kallar
river.
(b) Present record in northern Kerala: Fifteen rivers in northern Kerala
Remarks: Jayaram (1999) considers it under the genus Mesonemacheilus. This is the
most uniformly distributed species of this genus in Kerala. Type locality is Mundakayam
(Manimala river), Travancore.
m: Non-threatened, LR- Ic.
35. Batasio travancoria Hora & Law
Description: D i 7; A iii-iv 9-1 1; P 17-9; V i 5.
Occipital process not reaching basal bone of dorsal fin, separated by a considerable
distance; dorsal spine weak, adipose fin present; pores on dorsal surface of,)he head
present; body without longitudinal bands or spots.
Geoeraphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Kerala (Talwar & Jhingran 1991);
Pamba, Kallada, Chittar rivers in the Anaimalai hill range, Kerala (Jayaram 1999).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Kalikayam stream, Travancore (Silas 1949),
Ponnani drainage system, Anaimalai hills (Silas 1951), south and central Travancore
(Horn & Law 1941), Chaliyar river, Kerala part of NBR and Deviyar river at
Mannambandam (Rema Devi et al. 1996). Pamba, Manimala and Periyar rivers (Biju et
al. 2000).
(b) Present record: Chaliyar river.
Remarks: Endemic to Kerala, one of the most rarest species and was known only from
the era la part of NBR and Travancore. During the present study, it was recorded from
one river
Status: Critically Endangered
36. Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon)
Description: D 17; A iii 8; P 19; V i 5
Occipital process not extending to basal bone of dorsal fin; median logitudinal groove not
extending to base of occipital process; Eye-diameter 3.5 to 4.5 times in head length,
maxillary barbels extend posteriorly to end of pelvic fins, a dark band along lateral line
(Plate 6c.
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra
(Jayaram 1999).
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Kabini river, Meenachil river and Travancore.
@) Present record: Twelve rivers in Kerala.
Remarks: The male is provided with an urinogenital papilla, the size of which depends
upon the sexual maturity of the individual; the urinogenital duct opens at the extremity of
the papilla. In the females the urinogenital opening is a slit-like aperture bordered by
thickened lips. The male and female can be distinguished readily based on the above
secondary sexual characters (Hora & Law 1941).
u: Non-threatened (LR-nt).
37. Glyptothorax madraspatanunr (Day)
Description: D I 6; A ii-iii 8; P I 9-10; V i 5
Adhessive thoracic apparatus longer than broad without a central pit; paired fins non-
plaited below; pectoral spine generally as long as head; skin smooth on head and body.
Geoma~hical distribution: Anaimalai, Nilgiri hills and Cauvery river of Western Ghats.
Distribution in Kerala: (a) Earlier records: Nulpuzha, NBR (Easa & Basha 1995)
Muvattupuzha and Periyar rivers (Biju et al. 2000).
(b) Present record: Bharathapuzha and Kabini rivers.
Remarks: Body and fins yellowish with dark bands and of the most beautiful fish found
in the high altitude streams.
u : Endangered.
38. Glygtothorax anamalaiensis Silas
Descriotion: D 16; A I11 7; P I 8; V i 5
Maxillary barbels extend beyond the base of pectoral fins. Adhesive thoracic apparatus
feebly developed. Body is with three transverse white bands. One at the dorsal origin
second at the origin of the adipose dorsal and third one at the bifurcation of the caudal
peduncle (Plate 6b).
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Kerala.
Distribution in Kerala: Past records: Anamali hills and Chaliyar river.
Present record in northern Kerala: Bharathapuzha river.
Remarks: Endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala. Inhabits clear lentic and lotic streams. It
prefers moderately deep water and occur in the middle streams. It is a column feeder and
a carnivore.
m: Critically Endangered.
39. Clarias dussumieri Val.
Description: D 66-69; A 45-59; P I 10-1 1; V i 5
Dorsal fin is with 66-69 and anal fin with 45-59 elements. Maxillary barbels extend
beyond the pectoral fin base.
Geomaphical distribution: Peninsular India
Distribution in northern Kerala: Chaliyar and Kabini rivers.
Remarks: Endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala. Inhabits clear lentic and lotic streams. It
prefers moderately deep water and occure in the middle streams. It is a column feeder and
a carnivore.
Status: Endangered.
40. Pristolepis marginata Jerdon
Descrivtion: D XIV-XVI 11-14; A I11 8; P 14-15; V I 5
Body oblong and compressed; teeth on vomer villiform, anal fin with three spines; colour
in life, brownish-green with purplish reflections; fins with lighter edges, caudal fin with
whitish outer edge.
Geomaphical distribution: India: Western Ghats of Kerala.
Distribution in northern Kerala: Recorded from six rivers, Chandragiri, Kal-iyarngode,
Valapattanam, Chaliyar, Thiroor and Kabini
Remarks: Endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala. Inhabits clear lentic and lotic streams. It
prefers moderately deep water and occure in the middle streams. It is a column feeder and
a carnivore.
Status: Vulnerable
41. Sicyopterus griseus (Day)
Description: D I VI; D2 I 10; P i 16
Head depressed flat above; mouth nearly horizontal; lower margin of upper lip with short
papillae; predorsal scales 25; scales in longitudinal series about 80 (Plate 2b).
Geomaphical distribution: India: South Canara and Chennai.
Distribution in northern Kerala: Kuttiadi, Kuppam Valapattanam, Chandragiri and Mahe.
Remarks: This species which attains a length of 6.5cm. It is fairly common in the Madras
backwaters and of no fishery value. This species was recorded from high altitude streams
(Except, Periyar river, where it was collected from lowland areas) and its general body
form and structure of the lips, rostra1 fold and pelvic fins are well adapted for combating
strong currents. In 1941, Jones obtained it when he made collections from the Kallar
stream, north of Thiruvanathapuram (Trivandmm). This species was collected from
Periyar river after 56 years of its first record (Biju et al., 1998). In the present study this
species was recorded from four more rivers from northern Kerala, thereby extended its
distribution to northern Kerala.
Status: Vulnerable
