First Record of Exotic Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula (Actinopterygii: Lepisosteiformes: Lepisosteidae), from Dal Lake, Kashmir, India
摘要
Abstract
A new record of an exotic alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula (Lacepède, 1803), from Dal Lake is presented in this paper. The unauthorized introduction of alligator gar into Indian waters is concerning, especially as it is not on the approved list of aquarium fish species for import. Similar instances of invasive species disrupting indigenous fish populations have been documented across India, emphasizing the need for stringent monitoring of the aquarium trade.