18.9. 15 ichthyodiversity of maimala river, kerala, india, jzbr 2015

Available online at www.journalzbr.com

ISSN No: 2349-2856

Journal of Zoological and Bioscience Research, 2015, 2, 2:26-34

26 http://www.journalzbr.com/issues.html

Ichthyodiversity of Manimala River, Kerala, India

Mathews Plamoottil

Asst. Professor & HOD, Baby John Memorial Govt. College, Chavara, Kollam, Kerala Correspondence: [email protected]

(Received: 01/06/15 ) (Accepted:21/08/15) _____________________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to analyze the diversity of fishes occurring in Manimala River of Kerala, India. Fishes collected from 20 different stations of the river; of the 97 species of fishes collected cyprinid fishes outnumbered all other fishes; percoid fishes and silurids also preponderated in catches. Many cultivable fishes were reported from low level regions of the river; five fishes were exotic. 12 new fishes were also discovered, described and named during the research work. Keywords: Inland fishes, Cyprinids, Silurids, Indigenous fishes, Exotic fishes _____________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

Kerala is blessed with 44 rivers originating from the high lands. The state also has a number of backwaters, estuaries and lowland belts. A lot of studies have been conducted on the fishes and their biology in Kerala. Though vast aquatic areas were covered and documented for taxonomic studies on freshwater fishes, recent new descriptions indicate that a lot remain to be explored. Conservation efforts require scientific documentation of the bio- resources along with details on their distribution and status [1]. This requires inventory and systematic studies of the fishes. Manimala River is a small mountainous river, originating from the Thattamalai hills of the Western Ghats mountain ranges at an elevation of 1156 m above MSL. It is with a length of about 90 km and a catchment area of about 847 km2. Major part of the river flows through Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala; a small portion of the river in high lands lie within Idukki district and another small low land is within Alappuzha district. Kokkayar is a main tributary of this river in high land regions. Kanjirappallythodu (also known as Chittaar) and Pullaga (Pullara aar) are other main tributaries. Kadalimangalam aar (Kaavumphagam thodu) originates from Manimala River at Vaalayil madathikadu near Kuttoor. At Kallumkal, Manimala River merges with a branch of Pamba River. After merging with Pamba, Manimala River empties into the Vembanadu Lake. . Mesonoemacheilus triangularis, Barilius bakeri, Sahyadria denisonii [2-4], Pristolepis malabarica [5] and Puntius madhusoodani [6] were the fishes originally described from Manimala River. Pillai [7], John [8] and Silas [9] listed the fish fauna of Travancore, in which they included the names of a number of fishes found in Manimala River. From the literature it was understood that no research works has been conducted on fish resources of high level, mid level and low level regions of Manimala River. So it was an endeavor to study all fishes of the river from hilly to low level regions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All types of fishes were collected from 20 selected stations of the Manimala River (Fig. 1) using different types of gears such as gill net, cast net, mada vala, vatta vala etc. Selection of these gears is based on its fishing efficiency in a running water body. After fishing, nets are brought to shore at once and entangled and gilled fishes are carefully taken out. Fishes were cleaned with water and kept in 10% formalin. After fixation they were taken out and identified.

Mathews Plamoottil J. Zool. Biosci. Res., 2015, 2 (2):26-34 ______________________________________________________________________________


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fig. 1. Map of Manimala River showing sites of fish collection Ninety seven species of fishes were collected from Manimala River during 2010- 2012. Some of these are new fishes discovered, described and named during this study. Glyptothorax elankadensis Plamoottil & Abraham, Puntius viridis Plamoottil & Abraham, P. nelsoni Plamoottil, Systomus chryseus Plamoottil, S. rufus Plamoottil, Mystus indicus Plamoottil & Abraham, M. menoni Plamoottil & Abraham, M. heoki Plamoottil & Abraham, M. keralai Plamoottil & Abraham, Horabagrus melanosoma Plamoottil & Abraham, Macrognathus fasciatus Plamoottil & Abraham, M. albus Plamoottil & Abraham are the new fishes to science discovered, described and named during this research work. Gonoproktopterus kurali and Labeo dussumeiri are the abundant and most preferred fishes in low level and mid level regions of Manimala River. Clarias dussumieri and Heteropneustes fossilis were found to be very rare in the river. Some specimens of Pangasinodon hypothalamus were collected from Kallumkal. It is a culurable fish imported from foreign countries. But no record of it can be seen in our taxonomic literature. Many taxonomists and fishery biologists consider it as Pangasius sutchi; but it was now confirmed as P. hypothalamus. Cyprinus carpio communis, the common carp, is present in moderate quantity in the river. Clarias gariepinus, the African Clarias thrives well in it. Low level regions of the river bears many cultivable fishes such as Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhina mrigala, Cirrhina cirrhosus, Osphronemus gorami, Wallago attu etc. Pseudotropius mitchelli is a very rare fish found in Wayanad and Thrichur regions. From Karuthavadasserikkara many specimens of Pseudotropius mitchelli (locally known as ‘vellivala’or mulluvala) were obtained.



Table 1. Fishes of Manimala River with their common and local names

Sl. No

Name of fish Synonyms Common name/Trade name

Local name (Malayalam)

1 Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet) Clupea cyprinoides

Ox eye tarpon Paalan Maalan Palankanni

2 Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis (Gray & Hardwicke)

Muraena bengalensis A.nebulosa nebulosa A. anguilla

Indian long fin eel, Brown snake eel

Blangu, Musi Blangu, Vilangu, Mlanjil, Malanjil, Vellamalijeen, Manangeel, Ghalu, Aerel

3 Anguilla bicolor bicolor McClelland

A.bicolor A.australis

Short fin eel Velangu, Karutha -Malinjeen, Malanjil, Musi blangu

4 Dayella malabarica Hamilton- Buchanan Spratelloides malabaricus Ganga River sprat Aattu –chooda 5 Salmostoma boopis (Day) Chela boopis

Boopis razor belly- minnow

Mathiparal, Kathiparal, Wayanadan- mathi, Alari

6 Barilius bakeri Day Nil Malabar baril, Blue dotted hill trout

Paraloli, Velingil, Poovalchi, Pavukan

7 Danio aequipinnatus (McClelland) Perilampus aequipinnatus Danio browni Danio strigillifer Danio deyi

Giant danio, Blue danio, Giant danio

Thuppal Kothi

8 Danio malabaricus (Jerdon) Perilampus malabaricus, Eustira ceylonensis, Perilampus ceylonensis, Danio aequipinnatus(Mc Clelland)

Malabar danio,

Thuppal Kothi

9 Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton- Buchanan)

Cyprinus daniconius, Rasbora daniconius

Black line rasbora, Slender Rasbora

Thuppal-Kothi, Kodiyan paral, Kanangon

10 Amblypharyngodon melettina (Valenciennes)

Leuciscus melettinus Amblypharyngodon melettina Amblypharyngodon grandisquamis

Attentive carplet Vayambu

11 Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Bleeker)

Leuciscus pellucidus Leuciscus microlepis

Indian carplet Vayambu

12 Cyprinus carpio communis Linnaeus

Cyprinus carpio intha Common carp, Scale carp, European carp

Bhavani Velimeen

13 Osteobrama bakeri (Day) Rohtee bakeri Malabar osteobrama Chemmullu, Mullan paral, Vattakkali

14 Puntius amphibius (Val.) Capoeta amphibia Barbus amphibius

Scarlet banded barb Urulan paral

15 Puntius chola (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus chola Barbus tetrarupagus Barbus thermalis Barbus unimaculatus Barbus titius

Swamp barb Chola barb

Paral Kadukka

16 Puntius dorsalis (Jerdon) Systomus dorsalis Capoeta puckelli Barbus puckelli

Long snouted barb Paral

17 Puntius madhusoodani Kumar et al nil nil Paral 18 Puntius mahecola (Valenciennes) Leuciscus mahecola

Barbus mahecola nil Urulan paral

19 Puntius parrah Day Barbus parrah Parrah barb Para paral Palae paral

20 Puntius vittatus Day Barbus vittatus Puntius muzaffarpurensis Puntius coorgensis

Kooli barb Silver barb, Blunt- faced barb

Podi paral Aattuvatta

21 Puntius virdis Plamoottil & Abraham* nil nil Paral 22 Puntius nelsoni Plamoottil* nil nil Paral



23 Puntius hamiltoni (Jerdon) nil nil Urulan paral 24 Pethia ticto (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus ticto

Barbus ticto Puntius ticto Barbus stoliczkanus

Fire fin barb Ticto barb, Tic-Tac-Toe barb Two spot barb

Podi pparal Putta paral Kadumkali

25 Pethia punctatus (Day) Barbus punctatus Puntius punctatus

Ticto barb, Ember barb

Podi paral Putta paral

26 Haludaria fasciata (Jerdon) Cirrhinus fasciatus Puntius fasciatus P. f. pradhani

Melon barb Vazhakka varayan, Cheruparal

27 Systomus sarana (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus sarana Barbus sarana Puntius sarana Puntius saberi

Olive barb Kuruva, Kuruva paral

28 Systomus pinnauratus (Day) Cyclocheilichthys pinnauratus Barbus pinnauratus Puntius pinnauratus

Olive barb Kuruva Paral

29 Systomus chrysopoma (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

Barbus chrysopoma Puntius chrysopoma

Olive barb Kuruva Paral

30 Systomus rufus Plamoottil * nil nil Kuruva 31 Systomus chryseus Plamoottil * nil nil Kuruva 32 Dawkinsia filamentosa (Cuvier &

Valenciennes) Leuciscus filamentosus Barbus filamentosus Puntius filamentosus

Black spot barb Indian tiger barb

Poovali paral, Pullipparal, Valel chutty- paral, Chemparal, Kalakodiyan

33 Gonoproktopterus curmuca (Hamilton- Buchanan)

Cyprinus curmuca Barbus curmuca Hypselobarbus curmuca

Curmuca barb Kooral

34 Gonoproktopterus kurali (Menon &Remadevi)

Hypselobarbus kurali nil Kooral

35 Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus mrigala Cirrhina mrigala Cirrhinus chaudhryi

Mrigal Red tailed grass carp

Mrigalam,

36 Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch) Cyprinus cirrhosus Cauvery white carp Venkata, Thooli

37 Catla catla (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus catla Catla buchanani

Catla, Thick lips

Kattala, Karakattala,

38 Labeo ariza (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus ariza Ariza labeo Rohu 39 Labeo rohita (Hamilton- Buchanan) Cyprinus rohita

Labeo horai Rohu Indian Rohu

Rohu, Rogu, Chembolli

40 Labeo dussumieri (Valenciennes) Rohita dussumieri Malabar labeo Thooli, Pullan

41 Garra mullya (Sykes) Chondrostoma mullya Discognathus lamta Garra jerdonia Garra jenkinsonianum Horalabiosa joshuai Garra menoni

Mullya garra Kallu nakki, Kalle mutti Kallemkari Kallotti, Kallunthi, Kodali Parae nakki,

42 Mesonoemacheilus triangularis (Day) Nemacheilus triangularis Nemachilus triangularis N.t.triangularis N.t. tambaraparniensis

Zodiac loach Koima, Koitha, Aira, Manalayira, Manalaari

43 Bhavania australis (Jerdon) Platycara australis Homaloptera maculate H. brucei Bhavania annandalei

Western Ghat loach Kalnakki

44 Batasio travancoria Hora & Law Nil Travancore Batasio Karinkoori, Chillan koori

45 Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther) Pseudobagrus brachysoma Pseudobagrus chryseus Macrones chryseus

Gunther’s catfish Mungiletta Moongil, Manjakkoori

46 Horabagrus melanosoma Plamoottil & Abraham*

nil Black Horabagrus Moongil

47 Pangasinodon hypothalamus (Sauvage) nil nil Valakkoori 48 Mystus oculatus (Valenciennes) Bagrus oculatus

Macrones oculatus Malabar Mystus Chillan,

Thedu 49 Mystus gulio (Hamilton- Buchanan) Pimelodus gulio

Macrones gulio

Long- whiskered catfish, Shadow cat fish

Vellakkoori Chattithalayan- Koori,



50 Mystus heoki Plamoottil & Abraham* nil nil Chillan 51 Mystus menoni Plamoottil & Abraham* nil nil Chillan 52 Mystus indicus Plamoottil & Abraham* nil nil Chillan 53 Mystus canarensis Grant Hara malabarica nil chillan 54 Mystus malabaricus (Jerdon) Bagrus malabaricus

Macrones malabaricus Mystus maydelli

Jerdon’s Mystus Kallenkoori

55 Mystus keralai Plamoottil & Abraham* nil nil chillan 56 Ompok malabaricus (Valenciennes) Silurus malabaricus

Callichrous malabaricus Silurus goae

Goan catfish Manklan, Thonnavaala, Manjavala, Chotta vala, Pottu vaala, Pullu vaala, Klappa, Dhalaman

57 Ompok bimaculatus (Bloch) Silurus bimaculatus Callichrous bimaculatus Callichrous macrophthalmus Ompok canio Ompok sindensis

Indian butter catfish Klappa, Chotta vala, Pottu vaala, Pulluvala, Dhalaman

58 Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider) Silurus attu Wallagonia attu W. attu valeya

Boal, Freshwater shark, Shark catfish

Vaala, Aattu vala, Killer shark

59 Pseudeutropius mitchelli nil Malabar Patashi vellivala 60 Glyptothorax elankadensis Plamoottil &

Abraham* nil Rock catfish,

Sucker catfish Parae kkoori Parelotti

61 Clarias dussumieri Valenciennes nil Valenciennes’ clariid Naadan musi Muzhi, Muzzu

62 Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) nil Burchell’s clariid African musi 63 Arius subrostratus Valenciennes Pimelodus arius

Arius buchanani Tachysurus arius

Treadfin catfish Koori Aetta Thedu

64 Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Silurus fossilis Sacchobranchus fossilis

Stinging catfish Kaari, Kaarimeen, Moyya, Kadu, Kaduku -meen

65 Hyporamphus limbatus (Valenciennes) Hemiramphus limbatus Hemirhamphus limbatus Hemirhamphus gaimardi H. gorakhpurensis

Congaturi- half beak, Needle fish, Indian half beak

Kolan, Murichundan Murasu

66 Hyporamphus xanthopterus (Valenciennes) Hemirhamphus- xanthopterus Vembanad half beak Kolan, Murichundan

67 Xenentodon cancila (Hamilton- Buchanan) Esox cancila Esox hindostonicus Belone cancila

Freshwater gar fish Kolan, Kokila

68 Strongylura strongylura (van Hasselt) .

Belone strongylura Belone strongylurus

Spottail needle fish Kolan

69 Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes) Panchax lineatum Haplochilus lineatus Haplochilus rubrostigma

Malabar killie, Striped panchax

Maanathukannan, Maanathukanni, Nettichuttan, Poochutti, Varayan Poonjan

70 Macrognathus guentheri (Day) Mastacembelus guentheri Malabar spiny eel, Marble spiny eel

Aaral, Aarakan, Pana aarakan

71 Macrognathus fasciatus Plamoottil & Abraham*

nil nil Aarakan, Pana aarakan

72 Macrognathus albus Plamoottil & Abraham*

nil nil Arakan, Pana aarakan

73 Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) Macrognathus armatus Mastacembelus manipurensis

Tire- track spiny eel, White spotted spiny Eel, Marbled spiny Eel

Mookkarakan, Aarakan Kallaarakan Kallaron

74 Ambassis commersoni (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

Chanda ambassis

Commerson’s glassy perchlet

Nandan, Mulli, Arinjil, Aranjeen, Veloori

75 Parambassis dayi (Hamilton- Buchanan) Chanda ranga Ambassis ranga,

Indian glassy fish, High fin glass fish

Arinjil, Veloori

76 Parambassis thomassi Ambassis thomassi Giant glass fish Mullucheru



Western Ghat glassy perchlet

77 Nandus nandus (Hamilton- Buchanan) Nandus nandus Coius nandus Nandus marmoratus

Mottled Nandus, Leaf fish, Mootahree

Muthukkila, Kareela- kkalli

78 Lates calcarifer (Bloch) Holocentrus calcarifer Barramundi Nuddee meen 79 Gerres filementosus Cuvier Gerres punctatus Whiptail silver biddy nil 80 Pristolepis malabaricus Gunther Pristolepis malabarica,

Catopra malabarica Malabar sun fish Chutichi

81 Pristolepis rubripinnis Britz et al. nil Red finned catopra Chembally 82 Etroplus maculatus (Bloch) Chaetodon maculatus Spotted Etroplus,

Orange chromide

Pallathi, Pootta

83 Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) Chaetodon suratensis Banded Pearl spot, Striped chromide, Green chromide

Karimeen

84 Oreochromis mossambica (Peters) Chromis mossambica, Tilapia mossambica

Tilapia, Mozambique cichlid, Egyptian mouth breeder

Silopia, Thilapia, Silopi

85 Osphronemus goramy Lacepede Osphromenus goramy Osphronemus olfax Osphronemus notatus Osphronemus satyrus

Giant gourami gourami

86 Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton- Buchanan) Gobius giuris Gobius gutum

Goby, Tank goby, Bar-eyed goby, Sleeper goby

Poolan, Poosan, Poan, Poozhan Kurudan, Varatta- poolan

87 Awaous gutum (Hamilton- Buchanan) Gobius gutum, Gobius striatus, Awaous stamineus

---- Maaran

88 Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus) Chaetodon argus

Spotted scat Nachira

89 Anabas testudineus (Bloch) Anthias testudineus Anabas scandens A.t. riveri, A. t. lacustri A. t. ricei

Climbing perch Undikolli, Chovane- kolli, Andi kalli, Karippidi, Kaithakkora, Kallemutti, Kallada, Karooppu

90 Pseudosphromenus cupanus (Valenciennes) Macropodus cupanus Polyacanthus cupanus

Spike tailed paradise fish Karingana, Wunntee

91 Channa gachua (Bloch & Schneider) Ophiocephalus gachua Ophiocephalus apus Ophiocephalus harcourt- butleri Channa burmanica Ophiocephalus gachua kelaarti

Asiatic snake head Koravu, Vattudi, Vatton, Vattakkannan, Manathukan-nan, Cheran

92 Channa orientalis (Bloch & Schneider) ----- Asiatic snake head, Dwarf snake head Bengal- snake- head

Vatton Thodan

93 Channa marulius (Hamilton- Buchanan) Ophiocephalus marulius Ophiocephalus leucopunctatus Ophiocephalus pseudomarulius Channa marulius ara

Giant snake head Peacock snake head

Cheran, Cherumeen Cheruvaral Korava

94 Channa micropeltes (Cuvier) Ophiocephalus micropeltes Malabar snake head Vaaka, Vaaka varal

95 Channa striatus (Bloch) Ophiocephalus striatus Striped snake head, Striped murrel Banded snake head

Bral, Varal, Sowrah, Kaunan

96 Tetraodon travancoricus Hora & Nair Monotretus travancoricus Malabar puffer fish Attunda Aattu- maakri

97 Euryglossa orientalis (Bloch & Schneider) Pleuronectes orientalis Synaptura orientalis

Oriental sole Nangu

*New fishes



Fig.2. Systematic groups and species in Manimala River Status and significance of fishes: Most of the fishes present in Manimla River are edible. But some fishes such as Rasbora daniconius, Haludaria fasciatus, species of Danio, Barilius bakeri, Glyptothorax elankadensis, Tetrodon travancorius, Batasio travancoria, Aplocheilus lineatus etc are not eaten by the common people. However some of these are eaten by local people living by the riverside. Puntius vittatus, Pethia ticto, P. punctatus etc. are not much interest to fishery. Anguilla species are used by some people as medicine. Clarias dussumieri, Heteropneustes fossilis and Etroplus suratensis are the most palatable edible fishes in the River. Wallago attu may be in the next position. Cultivable fishes such as Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhina mrigala, Cirrhina cirrhosus, Osphronemus goramy are favored by the people of low level regions. Systomus species are not eaten during rainy months; people believe that these fishes have poison during these months. Salmostoma boopis, Barilius bakeri, Danio aequipinnatus, D. malabaricus, Rasbora daniconius, various species of Puntius, Pethia tico, Mesonoemacheilus triangularis, Tetradon travancoricus etc are the commonly used ornamental fishes found in Manimala River with great demand. Haludaria fasciatus may be the most commonly used ornamental fish of the river.

Table 2. Systematic position, significance and IUCN Status of the fishes of Manimala River

SL no Name of fish Systematic position Order Family

Significance IUCN Status

1 Megalops cyprinoides Elopiformes Megalopidae F F DD 2 Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis Anguilliformes Anguillidae FF DD 3 Anguilla bicolor bicolor Anguilliformes Anguillidae FF D.D 4 Dayella malabarica Clupeiformes Clupeidae FF DD 5 Salmostoma boopis Cypriniformes Danionidae FF, OF LRLC 6 Barilius bakeri Cypriniformes Danionidae OF VU 7 Danio aequipinnatus . Cypriniformes Danionidae FF, OF LRNT 8 Danio malabaricus Cypriniformes Danionidae FF, OF LRLC 9 Rasbora daniconius Cypriniformes Danionidae OF LRNT 10 Amblypharyngodon melettina Cypriniformes Danionidae FF, OF DD 11 Amblypharyngodon microlepis Cypriniformes Danionidae FF, OF DD 12 Cyprinus carpio communis Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 13 Osteobrama bakeri Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF E 14 Puntius amphibius Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF LRLC 15 Puntius chola Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF CU 16 Puntius dorsalis Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF EN 17 Puntius madhusoodani Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF DD 18 Puntius mahecola Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF E 19 Puntius parrah Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF EN 20 Puntius vittatus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae OF VU 21 Puntius viridis Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 22 Puntius nelsoni Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD



23 Puntius hamiltoni Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF DD 24 Pethia ticto Cypriniformes Cyprinidae OF LRNT 25 Pethia punctatus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae OF CR 26 Haludaria fasciata Cypriniformes Cyprinidae OF LRNT 27 Systomus sarana Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF VU 28 Systomus pinnauratus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF DD 29 Systomus chrysopoma Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF,OF D.D 30 Systomus rufus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 31 Systomus chryseus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 32 Dawkinsia filamentosa Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF LRLC 33 Gonoproktopterus curmuca Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF EN 34 Gonoproktopterus kurali Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF, OF ED 35 Cirrhinus mrigala Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 36 Cirrhinus cirrhosus Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF DD 37 Catla catla Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF VU 38 Labeo ariza Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF CR 39 Labeo rohita Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF LRLC 40 Labeo dussumieri Cypriniformes Cyprinidae FF EN 41 Garra mullya Cypriniformes Cyprinidae,

Garrinae FF VU

42 Mesonoemacheilus triangularis Cypriniformes Balitoridae, Nemacheilinae

OF LRLC

43 Bhavania australis Cypriniformes Balitoridae Balitorinae

OF EN

44 Batasio travancoria Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

OF DD

45 Horabagrus brachysoma Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF, OF EN

46 Horabagrus melanosoma Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

F.F, OF DD

47 Pangasinodon hypothalamus Siluriformes Pangasidae F.F, OF DD 48 Mystus oculatus Siluriformes Bagridae,

Bagrinae FF, OF LRLC

49 Mystus gulio Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF, OF LRLC

50 Mystus heoki Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF DD

51 Mystus menoni Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF DD

52 Mystus indicus Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF, OF DD

53 Mystus canarensis Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF, OF DD

54 Mystus malabaricus Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF, OF EN

55 Mystus keralai Siluriformes Bagridae, Bagrinae

FF DD

56 Ompok malabaricus Siluriformes Siluridae FF,OF CR 57 Ompok bimaculatus Siluriformes Siluridae FF, OF EN 58 Wallago attu Siluriformes Siluridae FF LRNT 59 Pseudeutropius mitchelli Siluriformes Schilbeidae

Schilbeinae FF DD

60 Glyptothorax elankadensis Siluriformes Sisoridae OF DD 61 Clarias dussumieri Siluriformes Clariidae FF VU 62 Clarias gariepinus Siluriformes Clariidae FF DD 63 Arius subrostrats Siluriformes Aridae FF DD 64 Heteropneustes fossilis Siluriformes Heteropneustidae FF EN 64 Hyporamphus limbatus Beloniformes Hemiramphidae FF CR 65 Hyporamphus xanthopterus Beloniformes Hemiramphidae FF DD 66 Xenentodon cancila Beloniformes Belonidae FF LRNT 67 Strongylura strongylura Beloniformes Belonidae FF DD 68 Aplocheilus lineatus Cyprinodontifor-mes Aplocheilidae

Aplocheilinae OF DD

69 Macrognathus guentheri Synbrachiformes Mastacembelidae FF, O.F VU 70 Macrognathus fasciatus Synbrachiformes Mastacembelidae FF, OF DD 71 Macrognathus albus Synbrachiformes Mastacembelidae FF DD 72 Mastacembelus armatus Synbrachiformes Mastacembelidae FF, OF LRL 73 Ambassis commersoni Perciformes Chandidae FF, OF DD 74 Parambassis dayi Perciformes Chandidae FF, OF LRLC 75 Parambassis thomassi Perciformes Chandidae VU 76 Nandus nandus Perciformes Nandidae,

Nandinae FF, OF LRNT



77 Lates calcarifer Perciformes Lutjanidae FF DD 78 Gerres filamentosa Perciformes Gerreidae FF DD 79 Pristolepis malabarica Perciformes Nandidae,

Pristolepidinae FF, OF DD

80 Pristolepis rubripinnis Perciformes Nandidae, Pristolepidinae

FF, O.F DD

81 Etroplus maculatus Perciformes Cichlidae FF, OF LRLC 82 Etroplus suratensis Perciformes Cichlidae FF, OF LRLC 83 Oreochromis mossambica Perciformes Cichlidae FF DD 84 Osphronemus gorami Perciformes Osphronemidae FF, OF 85 Glossogobius giuris Perciformes Gobiidae,

Gobiinae FF, OF LRLC

86 Awaous gutum Perciformes Gobiidae, Sicydinae

OF, LRLC

87 Scatophagus argus Perciformes Scatophagidae OF, FF DD 88 Anabas testudineus Perciformes Anabantidae FF, OF V 89 Pseudosphromenus cupanus Perciformes Belontidae,

Macropodinae FF, OF LRLC

90 91 Channa gachua Perciformes Channidae OF VU 92 Channa orientalis Perciformes Channidae OF D.D 93 Channa marulius Perciformes Channidae FF, OF LRLC 94 Channa micropeltes Perciformes Channidae FF, OF CR 95 Channa striatus Perciformes Channidae FF, OF LRLC 96 Tetraodon travancoricus Tetraodontiformes Tetraodontidae,

Tetraodontinae OF EN

97 Euryglossa orientalis Pleuronectiformes Soleidae FF DD FF- Food fish; O98F- Ornamental fish; CR- Critically endangered; EN- Endangered; LRNT- Lower risk near threatened; LRLC- Low risk least

concerned; DD- Data deficient

CONCLUSION

Cyprinids (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) are the most common fishes of Manimala River. Percoid fishes of various genera came next. Bagrids (Siluriformes, Bagridae) are also present in moderate quantities. Only one flat fish namely Euryglossa orientalis (Soleidae) was collected from this water body. But it might have been ascended from Vembanad Lake. Tetradon travancoricus (Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae) which was described firstly from Pamba River has now been collected from Manimala River. Of the four Mastacembelids caught from the river, two were new to science. They were discovered, named and described during this research work. Even though many species of fishes were collected from Manimala River, their total number has been greatly reduced. Moreover many fishes were not collected from some sites from where they were recorded in the past. Habitat destruction is a major reason for the decline of biodiversity of fishes [10]. Acknowledgement The author acknowledges University Grants Commission of India for awarding FDP to carry out this research work.

REFERENCES

[1] Easa, P. S. Shaji, C. P. Biodiversity documentation for Kerala, 2003,8: KFRI, 73. [2] Day, F. The Fishes of Malabar.Bernard Quaritch, London,1865,185. [3] Day, F. The fishes of India: being a natural history of the fishes known to inhabit the seas and fresh waters of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Bernard Quaritch, Piccadilly, London, 1878, 443. [4] Day, F. Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma.Volume I, Taylor and Francis, London,1889, 1:148. [5] Gunther, A. Catalogue of fishes in the British Museum,London, 1864, 5: 86. [6] Kumar, K.,Pereira, F. G. B. and Radhakrishnan, K.V. Biosystematica, 2011, 5(2): 31-37. [7] Pillai, R.S.N. Journal Bombay Natural History Society, 1929, 33: 358. [8] John, C. C.Journal of Bombay Natural History Society,1936. 38:70, 706. [9] Silas,E. G.Journal of Bombay natural History Society, 1950, 48: 793- 797. [10] Unni, K. S..International seminar on integrated river basin management with special refence to the humid tropics- 22nd& 23rd August, 2003, CWRDM, Calicut.

Education

18.9. 15 ichthyodiversity of maimala river, kerala, india, jzbr 2015