Checklist of Fish Diversity in Selected Rivers of Goa, India Using Exploratory Studies

Abstract

Western Ghats the ‘biodiversity hotspot’ traversing the maritime state of Goa, have the origin of many rivers of peninsular India. Our understanding of Goa’s freshwater faunal diversity is poor, and as far as the state’s fresh water ichthyofauna is concerned, there are critical gaps that await to be addressed. This study spanning over a timeline of two years is an attempt in that direction. Sampling in Goa’s freshwater ecosystems revealed a total of 84 species of fish belonging to 59 genera, 26 families and 12 orders. The species contribution hierarchy of major fish families in Goa’s freshwaters as revealed from the sampling effort is Cyprinidae (n = 28), followed by Nemacheilidae (n = 6) and Oxudercidae (n = 6). We report two exotic species; namely Oreochromis mossambicus, and Clarias gariepinus, and eight threatened species from Goa’s riverine ecosystems. This data is vital to envision immediate and long-term conservation policies for this faunal group.