Report on the Incidence of Skeletal Deformities in Labeo catla (Hamilton, 1822) Collected from Wainganga River, Maharashtra, India

This study examines skeletal deformities in Labeo catla (Hamilton, 1822) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) collected from Wainganga River near Pauni city, District Bhandara, Maharashtra. Morphological features of abnormal fish specimens were compared with those of normal fish from the same location. While no marked differences were observed in meristic characters, minor changes were noted in morphometric characters, particularly in the caudal peduncle region. Specifically, the distance between the post-anal fin and the base of the caudal peduncle was shorter in the abnormal specimen (15.4 mm, 4.78% of standard length) compared to the normal specimen (48.37 mm, 11.80% of standard length). Radiographic examinations were conducted to further analyze the deformities. Potential factors contributing to the deformities include insufficient essential nutrients, variations in water quality or chemical contaminants, and genetic mutations during larval development. The study discusses these potential causes and emphasizes the importance of such research in environmental monitoring. This study presents the first documented report of skeletal abnormalities in Labeo catla from the Wainganga River in Maharashtra, India.