BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2014, 60 (1), 149-152 PKISSN 0006 – 3096 (Print) ISSN 2313 – 206X (On-Line)

*Coressponding author: zahids2k@hotmail.com

REVIEW ARTICLE

Longitudinal Zonation in the Fish Fauna of the Indus River in Pakistan

*MUHAMMAD RAMZAN MIRZA1 and ZAHID SHARIF MIRZA

2

1Department of Zoology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan

2Fisheries Research and Training Institute, PO Batapur, Lahore, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

More than 180 species of freshwater fishes are found in the river Indus in Pakistan. The species of the

river change gradually from the headwaters to mouth of the Indus. In the paper changes in the families and genera have been discussed. The longitudinal zonation of genera of fish has been highlighted. Keyword: Ichthyofauna, Indus, Longitudinal Zonation, Pakistan, River Continuum Concept.

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INTRODUCTION The River Continuum Concept hypothesizes

that in large rivers, from headwaters to mouth, the riverine ecosystem present a continuous gradient of physical conditions that lead to changes in structural and functional characteristics of the fluvial environment resulting in changes in biotic communities along the length of a river(Vannote et al., 1980).The distribution of the biota along the length of river Indus provides a typical example of the River Continuum Concept. The present paper describes the changes in fish fauna along the length of River Indus in Pakistan.

River Indus originates near Mount Kailas (6,714 masl) in the Gangdise Range of Tibet and drains into the Arabian Sea covering about 3,000 km along its course. With an area of 863,508 km2, Indus River Basin is the major drainage of the northwest Himalayas, the Karakoram mountains and the western half of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The headwater tributaries of river Indus include Shingo, Shyok, Shigar, Hunza, Gilgit and Kabul Rivers. In the Punjab Plains, the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers also drain into the Indus. About 398-km

3 of water falls in the Indus Basin in the form of

rain and snow out of which the river an estimated 53 km3 of water per year while the remainder is returned to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration (Karim & Veizer, 2002).The detailed features of the river have been described elsewhere (Mirza, 2003).

The fish fauna of the river Indus and its tributaries had always been of interest and several important pieces of literature are available describing the ichthyological diversity of the mighty river (Ahmad et al., 2010; Day, 1880; Hussain & Mirza, 2007; Mirza, 1989, 1994, 2006; Mirza & Hussain, 1998; Mirza & Jan, 1993; Mirza & Khan, 1983; Mirza et al., 2011; Rafique, 2001; Rafique et

al., 2003). Almost 180 species of fishes have been reported from different parts of the river and its tributaries during its journey from northern area, Punjab plains, Sindh and finally to the Indus Delta (Mirza, 2003). The present paper describes the longitudinal zonation of fish fauna in the river Indus as ascertained from review of the available literature especially the contributions of the senior author.

Upper Indus Region There is gradual change in the fish fauna of

the Indus river from its head waters to the mouth. In the northern mountain areas of Pakistan and Kashmir, the fish fauna is composed of the snow-carps (Family Cyprinidae, subfamily Schizothoracinae), the loaches of the genus Triplophysa (Family Nemacheilidae), and the catfish Glyptosternon reticulatum (Family Sisoridae). These three groups extend downstream along the main Indus river upto Besham Qila. Here the Indus Golden Mahseer, Tor macrolepis, and the loaches of genus Schistura (Family Nemacheilidae) make their appearance. At Thakot, there are Aspidoparia, Crossocheilus, Schizothorax, Racoma (Family Cyprinidae), Schistura and Acanthocobitis (Family Nemacheilidae) (Hussain & Mirza, 2007)

In the Tarbela lake, the Cyprinid genera Aspidoparia, Barilius, Crossocheilus, Garra, Puntius, Nemacheilus, and Acanthocobitis are added in addition to the snow-carps and the Indus Mahseer. The catfish genera Gagata and Glyptothorax (Family Sisoridae), the snakeheads (Family Channidae), the spiny eel Mastacembelus armatus and glassfish Chanda nama (Family Chandidae) are also added. In the Khalabat Pocket of Tarbela lake, there are also Chela cachius, Salmophasia bacaila (Family Cyprinidae), Acanthocobitis botia (Family Nemacheilidae) in addition to several exotic species. This fauna is also represented in the feeding streams, viz. the river

150 M. R. MIRZA & Z. S. MIRZA BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)

Brandu, the river Unar, the river Siran etc. The catfish Glyptosternum reticulum has not been reported downstream from Besham Qila. The other elements are also found downstream of Tarbela Dam. The snow-carp genus Schizopygopsis is restricted in Baltistan and upstream in headwaters of the Indus. The genera Diptychus and Ptychobarbus are also found in Baltistan in addition to Schizopygopsis. But these two genera (Diptychus and Ptychobarbus) extend downstream in various streams of Northern Areas upto Gilgit mainly in the trans-Himalayan areas but also in the Deosai Plateau in the Himalayan areas. the snow-carp genera Racoma, Schizothorax and Schizopyge are widely distributed in the trans-Himalayan areas, Himalayan areas, and even in sub-montane Indus areas upto Attock Khurd. Schizopyge esocinus has been collected upto Dekhner a few kilometers downstream of Attock Khurd. Schizothorax plagiostomus and Racoma labiate have also been collected from downstream of Jinnah Barrage. Racoma labiate has also been even collected from Chashma Lake (Mirza & Hussain, 1998; Mirza & Khan, 1983).

The fish fauna of the Indus and its tributaries between Tarbela Dam and the Kabul-Indus confluence is quite rich. All the species found in the Tarbela lake are present also in this area. In addition there are Cyprinid genera Securicula, Devario, Esomus, Rasbora, Cirrhinus, Labeo, Osteobrama, Systomus (Family Cyprinidae), loaches of genera Botia, Lepidocephalus (Family Cobitidae), Acanthocobites, Nemacheilus, Triplophysa (Family Nemacheilidae); catfish genera Mystus, Sperata (Family Bagridae), Ompok, Wallago (Family Siluridae), Clupisoma (Family Schilbeidae),and Heteropneustes (Family Heteropneustidae), Gagata, Glyptothorax (Family Sisoridae) the garfish genus Xenentodon (Family Xenentodotidae); glassfish genus Parambassis (Family Chandidae); Gulu or the freshwater goby genus Glossogobius (Family Gobiidae).

In the upper Indus upto Qila Besham, there are only three native families viz., Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, and Sisoridae. In the Indus between Besham and Tarbela Dam, the number of fish families is six viz., Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Sisoridae, Channidae, Mastacembelidae, and Chandidae. Downstream from Tarbela Dam upto Kabul Indus confluence, the number of families is 12 viz., Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Nemacheilidae, Sisoridae, Siluridae, Bagridae, Schilbeidae, Heteropneustidae, Gobiidae, Channidae, Mastacembelidae, and Chandidae.

The vale of Peshawar is quit rich. All the above mentioned genera and families found in the

Indus between Besham Qila and Attock Khurd are present. In addition, there are Gudusia (Family Clupeidae), Amblypharyngodon, Danio, Naziritor (Family Cyprinidae), Eutropiichthys, Pseudeutripichtys (Family Schilbeidae), Lepidocephalus (Cobitidae), Colisa (Family Belontidae), and Nandus (Nandidae). In Afghanistan part of the Kabul river, Schizocypris has also been reported from Jalalabad (Banarescu & Nalbant, 1975).

The Indus river between Attock Khurd and Garyala passes through a narrow gorge. Most of the genera mentioned above are recorded except the genus Naziritor (Family Cyprinidae) and Triplophysa (Family Nemacheilidae) which have not been recorded from this part of the Indus and downstream (Mirza, 1997; Ahmed et al., 2010). Batasio pakistaniscus has also been collected (Ahmed et al., 2010).

Some genera are added: Notopterus (Family Notopteridae); Cyprinion (Family Cyprinidae); Batasio, Rita (Family Bagridae); and Bagarius (Family Sioridae) (Ahmad et al., 2010). The genus Macrognatus (Family Mastacebelidae) has been recorded in the river Haro. From Garyala, the Indus takes a U-turn towards west and then cuts through the Kala Chitta Range towards south. Here, it receives the river KohatToi and Teri Toi from the West and the river Soan from the East. In the river Soan, the genus Securicula (Family Cyprinidae), the catfish genus Sisor (Family Sisoridae) and the spiny-eel genus Macrognatus (Family Mastacebelidae) are added. The west Asiatic genus Cyprinion (Family Cyprinidae) is well represented in the KohatToi and the river Soan and its tributaries and the endemic species Barilius naseeri is restricted to the Soan. The Indus Mahseer Tor macrolepis becomes common and the snow carps (Family Cyprinidae) are rare.

Punjab Plains The part of the Indus between the Jinnah

Barrage and the Chashma Barrage is very important. Several elements are added with the Major carps becoming quite common. The genus Nangra (Family Sisoridae) makes its appearance downstream of Jinnah Barrage. Another important addition is the Mugilid genus Sicamugil (Family Mugilidae) which makes its appearance in the Chashma Lake for the first time and is found upto the mouth of the Indus. There are at least 49 genera, 16 families, and 9 orders of native fishes represented in Chashma Lake. In river Kurram which falls into the Chashma Lake, the snow-carp genus Schizocyprisis well represented in addition to Schizothorax and Racoma. The genus Schizopyga is absent. The Zhobi Mahseer Naziritor zhobensis

VOL. 60 (1) FISH FAUNA OF THE INDUS RIVER 151

has been recorded. Excepting the family Mugilidae, all these groups are also represented in the Jinnah Barrage areas (Mirza & Jan, 1993; Rafique et al., 2003). Downstream of Chashma Barrage, the Indus is quite slow and there is little change in the fish fauna. However, there are several species of the Indus plain distributed almost uniformly.

In rivers Shahur, Gomal-Zhob and Kundar that fall into the Indus from the west, the snow carps and the Indus Mahseer and the Zhobi Mahseer are quite common. The headwaters of the rivers Nari and Bolan in northeastern Balochistan also harbor the snow carps and the Indus Mahseer in addition to other fishes.

In the Punjab Plains, two more genera are added, viz, Monopterus (Family Synbranchidae) and Badis (Family Badidae) both represented by only one species each. Monopterus cuchia has been collected in the vicinity of Lahore and Sialkot, and Badis badis has been recorded from the Jammu Tawi and the river Jhelum near Chelianwala (District Mandi Bahauddin) (Bleeker, 1854; Tiak, 1971). Due to the construction of various link canals, the fish fauna of the Punjab is mostly uniform.

Lower Indus Plains In the Sindh plains, there are no snow carps

and the Indus Mahseer is rare. Bu there is one important species, the Palla of Sind (Tenualosa ilisha, Family Clupeidae) which was recorded even from Multan and Muzaffargarh before the construction of Sukhar Barrage. Now it is restricted to the Sindh Province in Pakistan (Jafari, 1994). The top Minows (Families Cyprinodontidae and Aplocheilidae of the Order Cyprinodontiformes) are represented by two genera, Aphanius and Aplocheilus in Sindh plains. In the lower part of the Indus downstream of Thatta the catfish genus Clarias (Family Clariidae) has been recorded and several species of marine origin are found in addition. The systematics and distribution of these peripheral fishes have not been properly worked out so far and hence are not discussed in this paper.

The fish fauna of the Sindh-Balochistan hills is primarily characteristic of the Indus with the Indus Mahseer, minor carps, the loaches, the catfishes, the spiny eels, and snakeheads. These streams fall into the Indus during floods only. The west Asiatic genus Cyprinion is well represented.

The fishes collected from Nulli-ni in winter by Day in 1871 (Day, 1880) contained Aplocheilus panchax and Chanda nama in addition to other fishes. But there was no Cyprinion. The other species were Salmophasia bacaila, Barilius vagra, Devariodevario, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo calbasu, L. rohita, L. diplostomus, Systomus sarana, Puntius ticto, Tor macrolepis, Channa gachua, C. striata,

and Mastacembelus armatus.All these species are found in the Indus plains. Tor macrolepis and Labeo diplostomus are hill-stream fishes. There is not any specimen of Catla catla and Cirrhinus mrigala. The major carps are represented by Labeo rohita only. Apocheilus panchax, and Chanda nama have not been recorded from any other place in Balochistan, not even from Hab river. In the Indus delta, all the species are represented. In addition there are several species of marine fishes entering fresh water for a variable distance.

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