Species Diversity and Distribution of Fish Community of Reu River

Abstract

This study was carried out in Madi valley, Chitwan, Nepal with the objective of investigating the Species Diversity and Distribution of fishes. To facilitate the research objective, river were categorized into three different stations at regular distance. Field surveys were conducted in different seasons of a single year from March 2014 to March 2015. Mainly cast net, Dhadiya, Rod and line were used to catch the fishes. Altogether 26 Fish species belonging to 7 orders and 12 families and 19 genera were observed in the study area. Majority of the fish species collected from the river fall under the order cypriniformes. Puntius sophore had the highest frequency occurrence of 10.92% and glyptothorax alaknandi had the lowest frequency occurrence of 0.33%. Other most common fish species were Puntius chola and barilius vagra with the frequency of 9.933% and 9.271 % respectively . Correlation between temperature, water depth and DO vs. number of fish composition are positive while velocity and pH vs. number of fish composition are negatively correlated. The highest Shannon diversity index, (H=1.41) were recorded at station I followed by (H= 1.26) at Station III and (H= 1.17) at Station II. Species richness index were recorded highest (d=11.062) at station III followed by (d=8.74) at station I and (d=8.41) at station II. Similarly the highest Shannon diversity index, (H=1.174) were recorded at monsoon followed by (H=1.1730) in pre-monsoon and (H=1.163) in post monsoon. Species richness index were recorded (d=10.57) in monsoon followed by (d=8.88) in pre-monsoon and (d=8.46) in post monsoon. Both conventional and non-conventional fishing appliances were found to be used in Reu River. Cast net, rod and line and some basket implements were used throughout the year. The socioeconomic condition of the fishermen of Reu River is not so poor, but most of them are illiterate.