Spatio.Temporal Variation of Fish Assemblage Structure in Dobhan Khola of Palpa District, Nepal

Abstract

The present study deals with the spatio-temporal variation of the fish assemblage structure in Dobhan Khola, Palpa district. The fish samples were collected from different sampling stations by using cast net during autumn, winter and spring season. A total of 14 species of fishes belonging to 3 orders, 5 families and 10 genera were recorded from Bhutaha, Beure, Jhyangla and Dobhan. Among the collected fishes Cyprinidae (50%) was recorded to be the most dominant family and followed by Cobitidae (29%), Balitoridae (7%), Sisoridae (7%) and Channidae (7%) respectively. Garra rupecula was the most common fish species followed by Barilius bendelensis, Garra gotyla gotyla and Puntius terio. The highest Shannon-Weiner diversity index value was recorded at station D (2.43) and lowest at station A (2.19). The maximum Species richness was found at station D (3.04) while minimum at station A (2.28). The highest Shannon-Weiner diversity (2.49) and Species richness (2.87) were recorded during spring season (May). The lowest Shannon-Weiner diversity (2.39) and Species richness (2.53) were recorded during winter season (October).The environmental variables such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon-dioxide and pH were correlated with the fish assemblage structure. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed a significant relationship between fish assemblage, seasons and environmental variables.