Fish diversity and limnological parameters influencing fish assemblage pattern in Chambal river basin of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Abstract

An attempt was made to systematically study the fish diversity and assemblage patterns in response to limnological dynamics of Chambal river basin in central India. A total of 56 fish species belonging to 09 orders, 18 families and 39 genera were recorded in the present study. Group-wise distribution of fishes showed that catfishes were the most dominant (23.21%). The most dominant species as per total relative abundance of the river was Glossogobius giuris (6.84%). The abundance of fishes was found to be highest in winter. Six fish diversity indices—Shannon-Wiener, Dominance, Simpson, Margalef, Evenness and Equitability indices were calculated and ranged 3.05–3.61, 0.03–0.08, 0.94–0.96, 5.21–6.35, 0.49–0.85 and 0.81–0.96, respectively. Threat status of fishes suggests that 3 species were near threatened and 01 species (Tor khudree) as endangered. Water temperature plays the key role in influencing fish assemblage pattern. A 1 °C rise in water temperature alone may result in an increase in Shannon ( + 0.1 units), Simpson ( + 0.02 units), Margalef ( + 0.16 units) biodiversity indices while 1 °C rise and 10 ppm increase of total dissolved solids may increase Evenness by + 0.05 units. There are two distinct fish assemblage events prevalent in the river basin viz. winter assemblage (near 20 °C) and non-winter assemblage (above 25 °C). The winter assemblage is most likely to be threatened under climate change. Ranching and creation of a winter-time freshwater protected area is recommended at Ghatbilod (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) dedicated for conservation of T. khudree.