Cyprinid Fishes: An Overview on the Present Status in Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Cyprinid fishes of Meghalaya were investigated from twin drainage basins Brahmaputra and Barak-Surma-Meghna. 27 cyprinid fishes under 14 genus and 7 sub families were recorded from rivers and reservoirs of four different gradient zones. The diversity of Cyprinid fishes was highest with 49% representation of Cyprinids at lower elevation Zone IV below 500 m above MSL and bio diversity indices estimated as H: 3.05, 1-D: 0.10. In contrary lowest diversity with 7% representation of fishes was observed at elevation 1501 to 2000 m above MSL in Zone I with bio diversity indices H: 0.25, 1-D: 0.57. Distribution of commercially important cyprinids under genus Labeo, Systomus and Cirrhinus were found to be restricted to rivers of Barak-Surma-Meghna drainage basin. Catch percentage of cyprinids indicates that 70% of fishes exhibit occasional occurrence and 30% as common occurrence. High percentage of occasional occurrence, low catch composition percentage and with restricted distribution of commercially important fishes to only certain rivers of Barak-Surma-Meghna drainage is an indication of depletion of cyprinid resources in the state and requires taking multi prong conservation measures to protect cyprinid fishes in Meghalaya.