SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF DIFFERENT MACROBRACHIUM SPECIES IN A NATURAL HABITAT OF KALU RIVER NEAR TITVALA, MAHARASHTRA STATE

Abstract

Juveniles of freshwater prawns caught by the traditional cylindrical
bamboo traps operated by the local fishermen in a natural habitat of
Kalu river near Titvala were sampled every week during September to
December 1991 and 1992, to study the composition and relative abundance
of different species and their relationship with hydrobiological
parameters. The juvenile catch comprised Macrobrachium rosenbergii,
M. idella, M.scabriculum and M. bombayensis. Among these M. rosenbergii
was more abundant followed by M. idella. It is also observed that high
tide catches are more productive than those of low tides.