Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) diversity in Eastern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India
1,2Satyanarayan Vyenkati Pusala and 2Mandar Satish Paingankar
1Department of Zoology, Mohsinbhai Zaweri Mahavidyalay, Desaiganj, Wadasa, Gadchiroli -441207 (India) 2Department of Zoology, Government Science College, Chamorshi Road, Gadchiroli-442605 (India) *Corresponding Author, E-mail:- spusala12@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The diversity of freshwater catfish species of the Wainganga River basin, covering Chandrapur and Gadchiroli District, was studied from March 2020 to December 2024. A total of 72 sampling sites were visited at least three times, and a checklist of catfishes of the Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts of the Eastern Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India, was prepared. The catfish diversity of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli is represented by 14 species belonging to six families and nine genera. The Bagridae family was predominant with six species, followed by Siluridae with three species. Amblyceps mangois, Clupisoma bastari, and Rita bakalu were for the first time recorded from Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Using previously published data from 43 locations in Eastern Vidarbha, a comprehensive checklist of 18 catfishes with their distribution has been prepared. The findings of the present study indicate that the Wainganga River could serve as an appropriate habitat for the conservation of freshwater catfish, provided that threats are mitigated.