Journal of Animal Diversity

Journal of Animal Diversity

Distribution, abundance, and diversity of Ichthyofauna in the Imphal River of Manipur, India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ningombam Ibungo Singh 1
Atrayee Borthakur 2
Yumnam Lokeshwor Singh 3
Yurembam Motilan 4
Anindita Bhattacharya 5
Prabal Sarkar 1
1 Department of Zoology, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya-793101, India
2 Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India
3 Department of Zoology, DMC Sc., Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur-795001, India
4 Department of Zoology, Manipur University, Imphal, Manipur-795003, India
5 Department of Earth Science, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya-793101, India
10.22034/JAD.2025.7.2.2
Abstract
The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the ichthyofaunal diversity, distribution, and abundance in the Imphal River of Manipur, India. Sampling was conducted across five sites: Lilong, Koirengei, Kangpokpi, Maharabi, and Sekmai in the Manipur River basin of the Thoubal, Kangpokpi, Imphal East, and Imphal West districts of Manipur. A total of 2,265 individual fishes were recorded, representing 55 species, 40 genera, 20 families, and 10 orders. Diversity indices such as the Shannon-Wiener Diversity index (H′ = 3.21) indicated high ichthyofaunal diversity. This was attributed to high species richness (Margalef’s Diversity index, d= 6.99) and even distribution (Pielou’s Evenness index, J′ = 0.41, Simpson’s Diversity index, D= 0.92). Cypriniformes emerged as the most dominant order in terms of both species’ richness and abundance, with the Cyprinidae family exhibiting the highest diversity among all families. Among the sampling sites, species richness was highest at Lilong, while Kangpokpi recorded the highest species abundance. The study identified four species potentially new to science and 29 species are endemic to Chindwin River basin in Manipur. Conservation assessments revealed that 16.36% of recorded species fall under threatened categories (EN, VU), while 6.36% remain unevaluated and 3.64% are data deficient according to the IUCN. Major threats to the ichthyofauna in the study area include habitat degradation from sand mining and deforestation, overfishing, and the introduction of invasive species. The study highlights the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural importance of the Imphal River and underscores the urgent need for sustainable conservation strategies to protect endemic and threatened fish species.
Keywords
Chindwin drainage system, diversity, fish fauna, Imphal River, species

Subjects

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Journal of Animal Diversity
Volume 7, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 10-24