International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 1(2), 21-24, September (2012) I. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 21 Study of Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity of Turkaulia Lake, East-Champaran, Bihar, India Kumar Niraj Post-Graduate Dept. of Zoology, MS College, Motihari, BRA Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in Received 16th August 2012, revised 26th August2012, accepted 28th August 2012 Abstract The present study on ichthyofaunal biodiversity of an ox-bow lake i.e. Turkaulia lake of East Champaran was carried out from June 2011 to July 2012, for a period of one year. Fishes are very important from the biodiversity point of view. Therefore, during the present investigation, fishes were collected and identified. The aim of this study was to reveal the faunastic diversity of fish species in this lake. The various fishes collected from this lake are found to be very common in respect of other lentic and lotic water bodies of Champaran-belt and are represented by 9 orders, 18 families, 27 genera and 40 species. The family Cyprinidae was observed as the most abundant of all, consisting 14 species. Although, 40 species were recorded, genus puntius was the dominant, followed by carps and cat fishes.Keywords: Ichthyofauna, biodiversity, turkaulia lake, ox-bow, east-champaran. Introduction India is one of the 17 mega biodiversity hot spots contributing 60-70 % of the world’s biological resources. Being home for about 11.72% of total global fish biodiversity, the country ranks third in the world in total fish production. The East-Champaran district (Headquarter: Motihari) is located between 26°15 to 27°01 N latitudes and 84°28 E to 85°18 E longitudes. The total area of the district is 4155 sq. km. A very hot and dry summer, southwest and northeast monsoon season characterize the climate of the district. The North Bihar and especially the East-Champaran district has large inland fisheries and adequate fresh water resources in the form of rivers and their tributaries, ox-bow lakes (Mauns), ponds, tanks, wetlands (Chaurs), and canals. There are lots of ox-bow lakes and cut off meanders in this district. Among these Turkaulia ox-bow lake naturally deserves a leading position because this lake is one of the prime aquatic resources of this district supporting a rich aquatic biodiversity. Figure-1 and 2 depicts the map and actual view of Turkaulia Lake respectively. Turkaulia lake (26° 36 55 N to 84° 51 02 E) is situated at about 6.5 km west of Motihari town (MSL 66.141 m) in Turkaulia block. This lake is natural and perennial water body having an area of about 100 ha. Its depth is maximum 8-9 m in the middle while the minimum being in the marginal area i.e. 1- 2 meters. The width of the lake varies 500 to 600 foot at different places. The main source of water is rain in the catchment area. The whole Champaran district including the Turkaulia Lake comes under Himalayan range. However, its one point is still periodically connected with river Dhanauti through a sluice gate at Ghoraghat as depicted in figure-1 and 3. Fishes are one of the best indicators of quality of any aquatic ecosystem and occupy a remarkable position from socio-economic point of view. A large population of this area and the district is suffering from nutritional hazards mainly from malnutrition and protein deficiency. The fishes are very rich source of protein as well as vitamins and other minerals. This lake is used for culture of fishes by local fishermen communities. Survey of fish fauna of river Narmada was also carried out by different workers4, 5. Some other workers also worked on the ichthyofauna and limnology of various water bodies of the country6-10Material and Methods The entire study was undertaken mostly in morning hours. The samples were captured at intervals with the help of local skilled fishermen. Drag net, caste net, scoop net, basket trap, hooks etc. were used for capturing fish samples. The fishes collected from Turkaulia Lake were treated with 8% formalin for 48 hours. After that the fishes were transferred in 5% formalin and preserved for further study in the laboratory of P. G. Department of Zoology, M. S. College, Motihari. Preserved specimens were identified to genus and species level using taxonomic keys and Standard literatures11, 12, 13, 14 6.Results and Discussion During the entire study period, 40 species belonging to 18 families, 27 genera and 9 orders were collected and identified.The details of these fishes are listed in table-1 and figure 4-7. The order Cypriniformes was observed as the most abundant including two families i.e. Cyprinidae (14 species) and Cobitidae (1 species). Among Cyprinidae Labeo rohita, L. gonius, L. calbasu, Puntius ticto, P. sarana, P. sophore, P. chola, Cirrihina mrigala, Cirrihina reba, Catla catla, Oxygaster bacaila, A. mola, A. morar, B. barilius were recorded while Nemacheilus International Research Journal of Environment Sciences_____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 1(2), 21-24, September (2012) I. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 22 botia was only representative of family Cobitidae. Genus Puntius, represented by 4 species (P. ticto, P. sophore, P. chola and P. sarana) was the dominant of all followed by major carps (L. rohita, L. calbasu, C. mrigala, C. reba, C. catla) and cat fishes (Wallago attu, O. bimaculatus, Mystus aor, M. vittatus, M. grassius, H. fossilis, C. batrachus). The above discussed fish species were the major composition of ichthyofaunal biodiversity of this lake. Other species such as A. coilia, A. testudineus, C. punctatus, C. gachua, C. marulius, M. aria, A. ranga, A. nama, G. giuris, S. coitor, etc. were also found. Heteropneusteus fossilis, Mystus vittatus and Macrognathus aria are economically important but these fish species are illegally exploited by the people of this area. Several workers have survey works in various lentic and lotic water bodies regarding the abundance and distribution of fishes15- 22. Conclusion The result of this study shows that Turkaulia Lake is very rich in fish diversity and sustains high productivity but only a small part of this lake is utilized for fish culture. Scientific methods of fish culture and proper care are needed to upgrade this lake. It will not only be profitable but also be an easier process to fulfil the protein requirement of malnutritioned and unprivileged population of East Champaran. Pisciculture has the potential to fulfil the nutritive food supply and can also enhance the food security and income generation of fishermen communities of this area. Acknowledgement I would like to thank Dr. N. P. Singh, Professor and Head, P.G. Department of Zoology, M. S. College, Motihari and Dr. Dilip Kumar, Ex Vice-Chancellor, CIFE (ICAR), Mumbai for their valuable suggestions and encouragement throughout the investigation. References 1.Lakra, W.S. and Sarkar, U.K., Conservation and management of aquatic genetic resources of India. 22nd All India Congress of Zoology, CIFE, Mumbai, 28-36 (2009)2.National Wetland Atlas: Bihar, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, Space Application Centre, ISRO, Ahmadabad (2010)3.Kumar Niraj and Singh N.P., Studies on physico-chemical characteristics of Turkaulia Lake, a natural ox-bow lake of East-Champaran in relation to growth of zooplankton and fish culture. 20th All India Congress of Zoology, CIFE, Mumbai, 140 (2009)4.Hora S.L. and Nair, K.K., Fishes of Satpura range, Hoshangabad District, Central Provience, Res. Indian Mus., 43(3), 361-373 (1941)5.Balapure S., Comparative study of fish biodiversity in Narmada and Tapti river. Dissertation Report, Department of Limnology, Bhopal University, Bhopal (2001)6.Jayram K.C., The freshwater fishes of India, Pakistan, Burma and Srilanka. 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International Science Congress Association 23 Table-1 Details of Collected Fishes of Turkaulia Lake (June 2011-May 2012) ORDER FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME LOCAL NAME Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Cobitidae 1. Labeo rohita 2. Labeo calbasu 3. Labeo gonius 4. Puntius ticto 5. Puntius sophore 6. Puntius Sarana 7. Puntius chola 8. Cirrihina mrigala 9. Cirrihina reba 10. Catla catla 11. Oxygaster bacaila 12. Amblypharyngodon mola 13. Aspidoparia morar 14. Barilius barilius 15. Nemacheilus botia Rohu Basrahi Kursa Sidhari/Pothia Pothia Darahi Pothia Naini Rewa Bhakura/Catla Challhawa Dhawahi Chilwa Bhola Natwa Siluriformes Siluridae Bagridae Schilbeidae Heteropneustidae Claridae 16. Wallago attu 17. Ompak bimaculatus 18. Mystus aor 19. Mystus vittatus 20. Mystus grassius 21. Ailia coilia 22. Heteropneusteus fossilis 23. Clarias batrachus Boyari Jalkapoor Tengra Tengra Palwa Patasi Singhi Mangur Channiformes Channidae 24. Channa punctatus 25. Channa striatus 26. Channa gachua 27. Channa marulius Garai Sauri Chanaga Saur Mastacembeliformes Mastacembelidae 28. Macrognathus arai Pateya Perciformes Anabantidae Centropomidae Gobiidae Sciaenidae 29. Anabas testudineus 30. Colisa fasciatus 31. Ambassis nama 32. Ambassis ranga 33. Glossogobius giuris 34. Sciaena coitor Kawai Kotra Chamwa Chanari Bulla Pattharchatti Clupeiformes Clupeidae Notopteridae 35. Gudusia chapra 36. Notopterus notopterus 37. Notopterus chitala Suhia Bhuna/Patra Moya Tetraodontiformes Tetraodontidae 38. Tetradon cutcutia Galphulani Beloniformes Belonidae 39. Xenentodon Cancila Kauwa Symbranchiformes Amphinidae 40. Amphipnous cuchia Bami Figure-1 Diagrammatic view of Turkaulia Lake International Research Journal of Environment Sciences_____________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 1(2), 21-24, September (2012) I. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 24 Figure-2 Actual View of Turkaulia Lake Figure-3 Sluice Gate at Ghoraghat Figure-4 Tetradon cutcutia Figure-5 Colisa fasciatus Figure-6 Heteropneusteus fossilis Figure-7 Wallago attu