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Fish Distribution Dynamics in the Aghanashini Estuary of Uttara Kannada, West Coast of India


Affiliations
1 Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
2 Department of Marine Biology, Karnataka University, Kodibag, Karwar 581 301, India
 

Fish diversity (77 species) in the Aghanashini River estuary of the Indian west coast is linked to variable salinity conditions and zones I, II and III for high, medium and low salinity respectively. Zone I, the junction between Arabian Sea and the estuary, had all species in yearly succession - due to freshwater conditions in monsoon to high salinity in pre-monsoon. The medium (zone II) and low (zone III) salinity mid and upstream portions had maximum of 67 and 39 fish species respectively. Maintenance of natural salinity regimes in estuary, among other ecological factors, is critical for its fish diversity.

Keywords

Aghanashini Estuary, Fish Diversity, Freshwater, Osmo Regulation, Salinity.
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  • Fish Distribution Dynamics in the Aghanashini Estuary of Uttara Kannada, West Coast of India

Abstract Views: 353  |  PDF Views: 128

Authors

Mahima Bhat
Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
V. N. Nayak
Department of Marine Biology, Karnataka University, Kodibag, Karwar 581 301, India
M. D. Subash Chandran
Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
T. V. Ramachandra
Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India

Abstract


Fish diversity (77 species) in the Aghanashini River estuary of the Indian west coast is linked to variable salinity conditions and zones I, II and III for high, medium and low salinity respectively. Zone I, the junction between Arabian Sea and the estuary, had all species in yearly succession - due to freshwater conditions in monsoon to high salinity in pre-monsoon. The medium (zone II) and low (zone III) salinity mid and upstream portions had maximum of 67 and 39 fish species respectively. Maintenance of natural salinity regimes in estuary, among other ecological factors, is critical for its fish diversity.

Keywords


Aghanashini Estuary, Fish Diversity, Freshwater, Osmo Regulation, Salinity.



DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv106%2Fi12%2F1739-1744