Pollution Research Paper

FISH DIVERSITY OF VEMBANAD LAKE IN THE PANANGADKUMBALAM REGION OF KOCHI, KERALA, INDIA

H.S. MOGALEKAR, C.P. ANSAR, N.N. RAMAN, K.V. JAYACHANDRAN, K. DINESH AND S. KOLHE

Abstract

The Vembanad Lake is second largest brackish water lake in the India. The status of fish diversity and seasonal variation in their distribution and abundance were investigated in Vembanad Lake at Panangad-Kumbalam backwater. In total 48 samples have been analyzed which were taken throughout June 2012 to May 2013. A total 2231 individuals were encountered, comprising 39 species of finfishes belonging to 27 families, 11 orders and 31 genera. Fish abundance was high during pre-monsoon season (780 numbers), whereas low during post monsoon season (455 numbers). Primer K6 software was used to quantity the fish species diversity and species abundance data. The indices of diversity included Shannon–Wiener diversity (H’) ranged from 2.9 to 3.4, Margalef’s species richness (‘d’) ranged from 4.8 to 7.05, Pielou’s evenness (J’) ranged from 0.95 to 0.97, Taxonomic diversity (Δ) ranged from 86.8 to 91.4, Average taxonomic distinctness index (Δ+) ranged from 91.8 to 92.6 and Total phylogenetic diversity index (sPhi+) ranged from 1633 to 2300. The Bray-Curtis similarity found maximum between north east monsoon and pre-monsoon was 78.9 %. Estimates from these indices were indication of high fish species composition and richness.