Studies on the impact of key environmental variables on kashmir catfish (Glyptothorax kashmirensis Hora, 1923)‎ distribution and abundance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Abstract EN

Kashmir catfish (Glyptothorax kashmirensis Hora, 1923) is a critically endangered (CR) freshwater fish endemic to the Jhelum and Poonch rivers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Limited data is available on the ecology of this species, therefore; the present study was conducted from January-December 2016 with the aim to investigate the abundance, distribution, habitat preference, and impact of key environmental factors on the distribution and abundance of Kashmir catfish in the Jhelum and Poonch rivers of AJK.

the key water quality parameters temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and turbidity were checked on a monthly basis (January-December 2016) from selected locations on the Jhelum River (Gucha, Subri, Ambor and Rahra) and Poonch River (Hajira, Jawra, Tatapani and Barali).

fish sampling was carried out on a monthly basis from Jaunuary to Decemebr 2016 at a total of 18 different locations (Poonch-6, Jhelum=12) using a cast net of 15 mm mesh.

observations related to the river bed where sampling was carried out for fish were documented.

the river flow regime was recorded by a flow meter with gauges (0-30 gallons per minute).

a principle component analysis (PCA) and a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were run to examine the association of environmental variables (water flow, temperature, DO, pH and turbidity) with species abundance.

based on the captured record, the distribution range of kashmir catfish extended upstream from kohala to chakothi in the jhelum river and from gulpur to madalpur in the poonch river.

the kashmir catfish prefers a river bed constructed of small gravel, coarse sand and small sized cobbles in the depth of a water range of 20-50 cm, frequently in the upper reaches of the rivers with a low water flow (300m's).

maximum specimens were observed in gucha (Jhelum) and Jawra (Poonch) in the summer months (July-September).

the PCA and CCA show that the species occurrence is highly correlated with various environmental factors, out of which turbidity and temperature contribute the most.