Scholarlink

<p>This study examines the fish community structure of a least studied, small Temporarily Closed Estuary (TCE) along India’s west coast, focusing on the Poovar Estuary. This research represents the first comprehensive investigation of fish diversity in this specific area.&#xa0;The study revealed variations in fish assemblages spatially and based on&#xa0;estuarine mouth&#xa0;state. The study identified 78 fish species from 38 families and the species availability was assessed in relation to salinity gradients and estuarine mouth conditions. Notably, the polyhaline zone exhibited high species diversity and abundance during the estuary’s open phase, while the closed phase recorded 42% reduction in fish diversity. The fish species count and Shannon diversity index were 78 and 45, and 3.69 and 2.94 for open and closed mouth states, respectively. The guild composition based on estuarine use and feeding mode, revealed the prevalence of marine estuarine opportunists and carnivorous species in the estuary. Knowledge of the ecological status, threats, and fish community structure of small, temporarily closed estuaries, particularly on India’s southwest coast, remains limited. Understanding the dynamics of these small estuarine systems is crucial for developing effective conservation and management strategies. This&#xa0;study, therefore, provides essential insights into the characteristic fish diversity of a small TCE on the southwest coast, informing future conservation and management policies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Fish diversity and community structure during open and closed mouth states in Poovar—a small temporarily closed tropical Indian estuary

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月16日

查看全文
  • Sreekanth Giri Bhavan,
  • Keerthana Prakash Sini,
  • Akshay A. Kumar,
  • Soorya Gopan,
  • Arunima Biju Kumar ,
  • Shamini Mettincy Shaji,
  • Kiranya Bella

摘要

This study examines the fish community structure of a least studied, small Temporarily Closed Estuary (TCE) along India’s west coast, focusing on the Poovar Estuary. This research represents the first comprehensive investigation of fish diversity in this specific area. The study revealed variations in fish assemblages spatially and based on estuarine mouth state. The study identified 78 fish species from 38 families and the species availability was assessed in relation to salinity gradients and estuarine mouth conditions. Notably, the polyhaline zone exhibited high species diversity and abundance during the estuary’s open phase, while the closed phase recorded 42% reduction in fish diversity. The fish species count and Shannon diversity index were 78 and 45, and 3.69 and 2.94 for open and closed mouth states, respectively. The guild composition based on estuarine use and feeding mode, revealed the prevalence of marine estuarine opportunists and carnivorous species in the estuary. Knowledge of the ecological status, threats, and fish community structure of small, temporarily closed estuaries, particularly on India’s southwest coast, remains limited. Understanding the dynamics of these small estuarine systems is crucial for developing effective conservation and management strategies. This study, therefore, provides essential insights into the characteristic fish diversity of a small TCE on the southwest coast, informing future conservation and management policies.