Survey and systematic analysis of Fish fauna of erstwhile Udhampur District, Jammu region, with new records of Barilius radiolatus Gunther, Botia lohachata Chaudhari, Botia dario (Ham. Buch.) and Glyptothorax punjabensis Mirza and Kashmiri

Abstract

Ichthyofaunistic survey in lotic and lentic water bodies of erstwhile Udhampur District, Jammu region, has revealed the presence of 76 fish species belonging to 6 orders. 14 families and 45 genera. Glyptothorax punjabensis Mirza and Kashmiri is the new record for country. Barilius radiolatus Gunther, Botia lohachata Chaudhari Botia dario (Ham. Buch.) are the new records for the state The list also includes Catla catla, Laheo rohita, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Hypothalmichthys molitrix, Cyprinus carpio communis, Cyprinus carpio specularis and Salmo trutta fario stocked by the state fishery department in the district. There is dominance of Cypriniformes (51 species), followed by Siluriformes (18 species), Perciformes (3 species) Synbranchiformes (2 species), and Beloniformes and Salmoniformes (1 species each). Fishing methods commonly employed are enlisted. Various causes of fish decline and their conservation measures in the district have also been described.

Keywords

• Fish fauna
• fishing methods
• conservation measures
• lotic and lentic water bodies
• Udhampur district