#malakand

Biodiversity is of key importance in the sustainability of an ecosystem. It correlates with the physiological changes in animals and environmental factors that fluctuate in a geographic region. Therefore, the current research work was performed to study the biodiversity and distribution of fish of Qadam Khaila Stream and Muhajar Camp Stream at Dargai, District Malakand Pakistan, from May-August 2016. The sample collection was conducted twice a month using different types of fishing net like rods, hooks, scoop net, drag net, hand nets, etc. The fish samples were identified by studying various morphometric measurements and meristic counts. A total of 10 species were identified i.e. Barilius pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Schizothorax labiatus, Puntius chola, Devario devario, Acanthocobitis botia, Schistura curtistigma, Channa punctata, Channa gachua and Mastacembelus armatus. All these species belonging to three orders; Cypriniformes, Channiformes and Mastacembeliformes and four families; Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Channidae and Mastacembelidae. Cyprinidae was the most dominant family represented by five species viz. Barilius pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Puntius chola, Schizothorax labiatus and Devario devario. Nemacheilidae and Channidae comprised two species each while Mastacembelidae by only one species only. Hence, it is concluded that these streams harbour rich diversity of fish which elucidate the suitability of these water bodies for the maintenance of biodiversity. Hence, culturing and conservation of fish species in the respective area could improve the economic status of the people.

Based on the importance and crucial role in biosphere, studying fish is a debatable issue. Among animal research its study is as prominent as bright day light. Biodiversity refers to the number of different species living in an ecosystem. The current study was carried out from May 2016 to August 2016 to find out Ichthyofauna of Garhi Usmani Khel Stream and Meherdy Stream at Dargai District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The fish specimens were then identified by studying various morphometric measurements and meristic counts. This study included eight species; Barilius pakistanicus, Puntius chola, Channa punctata, Channa gachua, Acanthocobitis botia, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Mastacembelus armatus and Ompok pabda belonging to four orders (Cypriniformes, Channiformes, Mastacembeliformes, Siluriformes) and five Families (Cyprinidae, Channidae, Nemacheilidaeidae, Mastacembelidae, Siluridae). Cyprinidae was the most dominant family comprised of three species; Barilius pakistanicus, Puntius chola and Crossocheilus diplocheilus. The family Channidae included two species i.e. Channa punctate and Channa gachua while Nemacheilidaeidae, Mastacembelidae and Siluridae were represented by only one species each, Acanthocobitis botia, Mastacembelus armatus and Ompok pabda respectively. It was concluded that Ompok pabda is strictly endangered in River Swat and especially in Garhi Usmani Khel Stream and Meherdy Stream. It is strongly recommended to conserve this species (Ompok pabda).

Biodiversity is of key importance in the sustainability of an ecosystem. It correlates with the physiological changes in animals and environmental factors that fluctuate in a geographic region. Therefore, the current research work was performed to study the biodiversity and distribution of fish of Qadam Khaila Stream and Muhajar Camp Stream at Dargai, District Malakand Pakistan, from May-August 2016. The sample collection was conducted twice a month using different types of fishing net like rods, hooks, scoop net, drag net, hand nets, etc. The fish samples were identified by studying various morphometric measurements and meristic counts. A total of 10 species were identified i.e. Barilius pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Schizothorax labiatus, Puntius chola, Devario devario, Acanthocobitis botia, Schistura curtistigma, Channa punctata, Channa gachua and Mastacembelus armatus. All these species belonging to three orders; Cypriniformes, Channiformes and Mastacembeliformes and four families; Cyprinidae, Nemacheilidae, Channidae and Mastacembelidae. Cyprinidae was the most dominant family represented by five species viz. Barilius pakistanicus, Crossocheilus diplocheilus, Puntius chola, Schizothorax labiatus and Devario devario. Nemacheilidae and Channidae comprised two species each while Mastacembelidae by only one species only. Hence, it is concluded that these streams harbour rich diversity of fish which elucidate the suitability of these water bodies for the maintenance of biodiversity. Hence, culturing and conservation of fish species in the respective area could improve the economic status of the people.