Diversity and Distribution of Genera Schizothorax and Schizothorichthyes in River Swat, Pakistan
Diversity and Distribution of Genera Schizothorax and Schizothorichthyes in River Swat, Pakistan
Muhammad R. Khan1, Bushra A. Rakha1,* and Muhammad S. Ansari2
ABSTRACT
Morphometric characters and meristic counts of genera Shizothorax and Schizothorichthyes have been studied from River Swat, Pakistan. Monthly collection of both Genuses was conducted and identified on morphometric and meristic counts and fin formula. The minimum and maximum range, mean, standard error, percentage of various parameters in total length and head length were estimated. The meristic characters showed very limited or no variation in all four species. A total of 28 specimens, including 6 species belonging to genera Schizothorax and Schizothoraicthys were investigated. The species found in river Swat were Schizothorax plagiostomus, Schizothoraicthys esocinus, Schizothoraicthys labiatus, Schizothorax richardsonii, Schizothorax sinuautus and Schizothoraicthys macropthalmus. Among these species, Schizothorax richardsonii is considered as vulnerable and is a valuable game fish species according to IUCN 2017 and needs urgent protection and proactive conservation efforts to save from becoming extinct in most of its range. The most abundant species of river swat was Schizothorax plagiostomus while the least abundant species was Schizothoraicthys macropthalmus. However, all of the species of genera Schizothorax and Schizothoraicthys facing drastic decline in their distribution range and within River Swat due to introduction of exotic salmons and overfishing.
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December 2020
Vol. 52, Iss. 6, Pages 2027-2426
