Morphometry, meristic characters and conservation aspects of the vulnerable fish species Pethia shalynius Yazdani & Talukdar, 1975 (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) in the Umiam River, North-east India

Abstract

Pethia shalynius is an important hill stream fish having both food and ornamental value. A total of 209 samples ranging from 4.20 - 6.90 cm total length, collected during 2010 - 2011 were used for the morphometric and meristic studies. Most of the morphometric characters of the species were found to be genetically controlled, rather than environmentally controlled, indicating restricted distribution of the species. Information collected from local fishermen and traders indicated that the population of this indigenous fish is fast declining. The species is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red list of threatened taxa. A number of factors like indiscriminate exploitation, destruction and pollution of natural habitats act as major threats for the decline in population of the species. Human settlements, shifting agriculture, deforestation and other anthropogenic activities have led to degradation of the habitats of P. shalynius in the Umaim River system in Meghalaya.