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Fish Distribution Dynamics in the Aghanashini Estuary of Uttara Kannada, West Coast of India
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Mahima Bhat1,2, Nayak V. N.2, Subash Chandran M. D.1, T.V. Ramachandra1,*
1Energy & Wetlands Research Group, Center for Ecological Sciences [CES], Indian Institute of Science,
2Dept of Marine Biology, Karnataka University, Kodibag, Karwar
*Corresponding author:
Energy & Wetlands Research Group,
Centre for Ecological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore – 560 012, INDIA, E-mail: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in, energy@ces.iisc.ernet.in.
Abstract
Fish diversity (77 species) in Aghanashini River estuary of Indian west coast is linked to variable salinity conditions and zoned I, II and III for high, medium and low salinity respectively. Zone I, the junction between Arabian Sea and estuary, had all species in yearly succession- due to fresh water 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, Salinity.
Citation : Mahima Bhat, Nayak V. N., Subash Chandran M. D. and Ramachandra T. V., 2014. Fish distribution dynamics in the Aghanashini estuary of Uttara Kannada, west coast of India, Current Science, 106 (12):1739-1744
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