Lot 12 (PART II)

SEGREGATION

Lot 12: PART II

[Being more fish samples involved; Segregation of Lot 12, is made available in 2 Parts,

PART I

&

PART II]

A recapitulation from Part I:

The sorting of some fishes in the field was made on the basis of the elongated, cylindrical or compressed body with long caudal peduncle, deeply forked caudal fin, very large (somewhat hexagonal) to small scales, orange or yellowish or pinkish hue on the fins, shining silvery to dull grey-black or brown shades etc.

They were placed under Lot 12, collectively labeled as Minnows or Minor Carps or Mahseers or Suckerfish and numbered 1 to 6 in the assemblage as shown in the photograph below.

The criteria decided in the field for segregation of genera/species represented by the individuals numbered 1 – 6 [in the photograph above] are as shown in the TABLE below:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LOT – 12: PART I (12.1 to 12.3)

SEGREGATION OF GENUS/SPECIES BASED ON THE CRITERIA DECIDED IN THE FIELD FOR THE SAMPLE INDIVIDUALS

Lot 12: PART – II

No. 12.4 – 12.6.

4

The individuals having smallest scales (among the members of the entire Lot 12) and dark brown or silvery-grey body are found belonging to 2 closely related Genera viz., Schizothorax and Schizothoraichthyes (commonly called Snow Trouts) [Family – Cyprinidae, Subfamily – Barbinae; Minnows or Carps].

Based on the colouration of body the above referred genera are represented by 1 species each, commonly found in the rheophilic environment of Doon valley between 300 – 900m msl.

Lot 12.4: Diagnostic, smallest scales (among the members of the entire Lot 12), in Snow Trouts (Schizothorax & Schizothoraichthys) .

The characterization of each species of Lot 12.4 is as under:

4a

Body elongated, subcylindrical. Dorsal profile arched up to base of dorsal fin. Ventral profile more or less horizontal. Head large with rounded snout (= rostral cap). Mouth inferior, transverse. Lips thick, fleshy. Lower jaw provided with a keratinized cutting edge; a wide continuous labial fold (lower lip) with a parallel running (transverse, strip-like) sucker on the posterior border. Eyes large, not visible from below ventral surface. Barbels 2 pairs, rostral and the maxillary. Dorsal fin undivided ray finely serrated (10 – 12 serrations) at the tip. Scales very small; tile-like at the anal fin base and vent. Body uniformly silvery-grey to steel-grey (the upper part spotted in smaller specimens).

………….. Schizothorax richardsonii

PHOTOGRAPHS OF Schizothorax richardsonii

Schizothorax richardsonii: Different-sized fresh individuals with smallest scales, grey-silvery body, black spots along the dorsum and flanks and a sucker along the posterior border of the lower lip
Schizothorax richardsonii: Lateral view; showing smallest scales, grey-silvery body with black spots along the dorsum and flanks.
Schizothorax richardsonii: Ventro-lateral view [larger specimen, about 24.0 cm]; showing smallest scales, steel-grey-silvery body with black spots along the dorsum and flanks.
Schizothorax richardsonii: Dorsal fin region enlarged; showing smallest scales, grey-silvery body with black spots (yellow arrows) along the dorsum and flanks & finely serrated (10 – 12 serrations) undivided ray of dorsal fin at the tip (red arrow).
Schizothorax richardsonii: Ventral view of snout and mouth region enlarged; showing rounded snout (= rostral cap) [red arrow]; inferior, transverse mouth (yellow arrows); thick, fleshy lips; keratinized cutting edge on the lower jaw (blue arrow) and a wide continuous labial fold (lower lip) with a parallel running (transverse strip-like) sucker on the posterior border (magenta arrow).

4b

Body elongated, subcylindrical. Dorsal profile arched up to base of dorsal fin. Ventral profile more or less horizontal up to base of anal fin; thence upturned sharply to form straighter ventral face of caudal peduncle. Head large with pointed snout (= rostral cap); studded with warty protuberances below nostrils and between eye and nortils; a few protuberances also present at the lower border of the operculum. Mouth inferior, opening ‘U’-shaped. Lips thick, fleshy; continuous at the angles of mouth. Lower jaw provided with a keratinized cutting edge, lower lip without a sucker. Eyes large, not visible from below ventral surface. Barbels 2 pairs, rostral and the maxillary. Dorsal fin undivided ray finely serrated (about 14 serrations) at the tip. Scales very small; tile-like at the anal fin base and vent. Body uniformly chocolate-brown.

………….. Schizothoraichthys progastus

[= Schizothorax progastus; as per indiabiodiversity.org & www.fishbase.in]

PHOTOGRAPHS OF Schizothoraichthys progastus

Schizothoraichthys progastus: Lateral view; showing uniformly chocolate-brown body; large head with pointed snout (= rostral cap); studded with warty protuberances; arched dorsal profile up to base of dorsal fin; more or less horizontal ventral profile up to base of anal fin, thence upturned sharply to form straighter ventral face of caudal peduncle.
Schizothoraichthys progastus: Lateral view anterior region enlarged; showing very small scales; uniformly chocolate-brown body; large head with pointed snout (= rostral cap), studded with warty protuberances below nostrils and between eye and nostrils; a few protuberances also present at the lower border of the operculum (yellow arrows).

………..Contd.

Schizothoraichthys progastus: Ventral view of head and snout region enlarged; showing inferior mouth with ‘U’-shaped opening (blue arrow); thick & fleshy lips, continuous at the angles of mouth; lower lip without a sucker (red arrow) and 2 pairs, rostral and the maxillary barbels (white arrow).
Schizothoraichthys progastus: Lateral view, Dorsal fin region enlarged;
showing finely serrated undivided ray (about 14 serrations) at the tip (yellow arrow) and very small scales (green arrow).


A congregation of swimming young individuals of Schizothorax richardsonii at hilly tract of Baldi River (Sahstradhara, Eastern Doon Valley).

5

The individuals having an adhesive disc on the chin (lower lip) are found to be represented by only 1 Genus and 1 species, Garra gotyla gotyla [Family – Cyprinidae], commonly found in the rheophilic environment of Doon valley between 300 – 900m msl.

The characterization of the species is as under:

5a

Body elongated, compressed at the caudal peduncle. Dorsal and ventral profile equally arched. Head slightly depressed. Snout (= rostral cap) obtusely rounded; with a deep groove across, forming a sort of proboscis; studded with conical (crown-shaped) tubercles. Mouth inferior, cleft semicircular. Lips thick and fleshy; upper lip highly fimbriated (about 14 – 15 fimbriae); lower lip (=labial fold) highly specialized to form a rounded suctorial disc with tuberculations all around the margins. Barbels 2 pairs, one each small rostral and maxillary. Dorsal fin with upper edge sharply curved from the tip of the undivided ray & the Ist divided ray (both the rays being the longest). Pectorals and pelvics spread horizontally. Caudal fin forked; upper lobe being longer. Scales moderate. Dark- greenish-brown along the dorsum; coppery-yellow along flanks and abdomen. Tip of scales edged dark; giving banded appearance along flanks. Fins darkly pigmented with yellowish-red hue.

…………… Garra gotyla gotyla

PHOTOGRAPHS OF Garra gotyla gotyla

Garra gotyla gotyla: 2 live specimens in dorsal view; showing depressed head; obtusely rounded snout (= rostral cap) with a deep groove across, forming a sort of proboscis, studded with conical (crown-shaped) tubercles; horizontally spread pectorals; dark- greenish-brown along the dorsum and coppery-yellow along flanks.
Garra gotyla gotyla: Lateral view; showing obtusely rounded snout (= rostral cap) with a deep groove across, forming a sort of proboscis, studded with conical (crown-shaped) tubercles; sharply curved upper edge of dorsal fin from the tip of the undivided ray & the Ist divided ray (both the rays being the longest); horizontally spread pectorals and pelvics; forked caudal fin, upper lobe being longer; horizontally spread pectorals & pelvics; tip of scales edged dark, giving banded appearance along flanks and fins darkly pigmented with yellowish-red hue.
Garra gotyla gotyla: Head region enlarged; showing depressed head; obtusely rounded snout (= rostral cap) with a deep groove across (red arrow), forming a sort of proboscis, studded with conical (crown-shaped) tubercles (yellow arrow); small rostral and maxillary barbels (black arrows); horizontally spread pectorals (blue arrow) and dark coloured tips of scales (white arrows).
Garra gotyla gotyla: Ventral view anterior region enlarged; showing obtusely rounded snout (= rostral cap); small rostral and maxillary barbels (black arrows); inferior mouth, cleft semicircular (red arrow); thick and fleshy lips, upper lip being highly fimbriated (about 14 – 15 fimbriae) [blue arrow), lower lip (=labial fold) specialized to form a rounded suctotrial disc with tuberculations all around the margins (yellow arrow) and horizontally spread pectorals (magenta arrow).
Garra gotyla gotyla: Ventral view, sucker region enlarged; showing obtusely rounded snout (= rostral cap) [white arrow]; small rostral and maxillary barbels (black arrows); inferior mouth, cleft semicircular (red arrow); thick and fleshy lips, upper lip being highly fimbriated (about 14 – 15 fimbriae) [blue arrow] and lower lip (=labial fold) specialized to form a rounded suctotrial disc with tuberculations all around the margins (yellow arrows).
Garra gotyla gotyla: Live specimen in a water-filled container photographed from below; showing how the hill-stream adaptation, the sucking disc is fastened at the bottom (blue arrow) and paired fins spread-out (black arrow) horizontally as done in natural fast turbulent streams, preventing them from being washed away by fast currents.

A PLATE VII FROM THE PAGES

OF

General and Applied Ichthyology [Fish and Fisheries]

by SK Gupta.

This PLATE VII refers to CHAPTER – 16 [Study of Fish Fauna], pp 373-469.

The PLATE includes photographs of Raiamas bola (Lot 4) showing a rudimentary maxillary barbel, Crossocheilus latius (Lot-12, PART I, 12.3c) showing upper fimbriated lip and of Garra gotyla gotyla (Lot – 12, PART II, 12.5) showing Sucking disc.

pl. refer to HOME PAGE to see the item BOOKS

6

The individuals, identified in the field and kept in Lot 12 at No. 6, are found to be diagnostically deep-bodied (amongst the rest 1 to 5), silvery pinkish with moderate-sized scales, each with a dark spot at the base (like Barilius bendelisis, Lot 3) in upper 3/4th of body. Also the inhabitant of rheophilic, clean-watered, deeper environment, this sample is of a curious ‘median Carp’, belonging to Genus Chagunius, with one species Chagunius chagunio [Family – Cyprinidae].

Chagunius chagunio: Silvery pinkish with moderate-sized scales, each with a dark spot at the base (akin to Barilius bendelisis, Lot 3) in upper 3/4th of body.

More sharply exhibiting sex distinguishing characters, it is characterized as under:

6a

Body elongated and compressed laterally. Head conical. Snout bluntly squarish with prominent transverse depression across. Mouth subterminal, ‘U’-shaped. Lips thick, upper one more papillated (in mature males) with fleshy flap on either side; lower lip with a pad on the ventral side with a central depression and striations (a device useful for clinging in rheophilic environment). Barbels 2 pairs, the maxillary longer than the rostral. Undivided ray of the dorsal fin strong and serrated. Uniform bright silvery (more when young) to dull silvery with pinkish hue. Olive-greenish along the dorsum. Each scale with dark spot at the base on upper 3/4th of the body (not prominent in younger specimens); sometimes the dark spots giving the appearance of a dark band along the lateral line. Fins yellowish. Dorsal and caudal suffused with scarlet red and edged black. Pectorals darker to fainter black, intermingled with reddish tinge. Pelvics and anal edged red.

Sexual dimorphism most prominent [see ahead the TABLE, Photographs & research publication].

……….. Chagunius chagunio

PHOTOGRAPHS OF Chagunius chagunio

Chagunius chagunio: Different-sized young individuals with bright silvery colouration with reddish hue on the fins. Prominent barbels (yellow arrow) and serrated undivided dorsal fin ray (white arrow) can also be observed. Black spots at the base of scales have not become prominent in these younger specimens.
Chagunius chagunio: Mature male (M) and female (F) individuals with bright silvery colouration, black spots at the base of scales and with reddish hue on the fins.

Chagunius chagunio: Mature male. Bright, purplish-black tinge on the snout and flanks of head; snout with conical tuberculations (pearl organs) lodged in cusps; blackish pigmentation on the fleshy lip folds, behind operculum, on the chin, pectoral fins, summit of 2nd to 6th divided rays of dorsal fin & outer edges of caudal fin. Scarlet red tinge in the middle of the dorsal fin, at 1st to 5th anal fin rays and along the whole length of 1st and 2nd fin rays of lower lobe of caudal fin and whole middle part of rest of the fin.
Chagunius chagunio: Mature male. Cut open to show Testes (T).
Chagunius chagunio: Mature female. Bright silvery with less pigmentation and reddish tinge at places referred for the male.
Chagunius chagunio: Mature female. Cut open to show Ovaries (Ov).

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN Chagunius chagunio

The important points of sex distinction in Chagunius chagunio are sorted in the following TABLE:

…….View photographs, distinctive to male and female Chagunius chagunio

PHOTOGRAPHS, DISTINCTIVE TO

MALE AND FEMALE Chagunius chagunio

Chagunius chagunio: Ventral view of head (chin) region of mature males enlarged; showing lower lip with a pad (red arrow) on the mid-ventral side with a central depression and striations (yellow arrow).
Chagunius chagunio: Head region of mature female enlarged; showing lesser spiny tuberculations (pearl organs) on the snout and flanks of head without cusps and thick mucoid covering and longer and thinner barbels.
Chagunius chagunio: Dorsal fin region of male enlarged; when fully stretched, showing serrated undivided ray; convexity at the summit due to longer, thicker and much branched 2nd, 3rd and 4th rays; the membranous part leathery/fleshy/opaque (yellow arrows), red at the bases and black at the summit.
Chagunius chagunio: Dorsal fin region of female enlarged; when fully stretched, showing serrated undivided ray; the summit is cut concave due to gradual shortening of thinner divided rays; the membranous part being more transparent (as compared to males), reddish at the summit of all and blackish between summit of first 2nd – 4th rays.
Chagunius chagunio: Anal fin region of male enlarged; showing the last (4th & 5th) divided rays quite long and bright red; the 5th being the longest, extending beyond caudal base.

Chagunius chagunio: Anal fin region of female enlarged. Two situations are observed:

1. Majority exhibit normal red-tinged fin.

2. Occasionally, a bit longer but colourless 4th and 5th divided rays.

Chagunius chagunio: Male and female individuals viewed ventrally. Males (M) with more robust body and darkly pigmented chin and pectoral fin regions as compared to females (F). In females (F) the ventral fins fall short of vent.

……..View videos next

Observe the male and female live individuals making gentle swimming movements.

Observe the male live individual making gentle swimming movements.

CLICK HERE to read the research publication entitled:

Further Taxonomical Notes on Chagunius chagunio (Hamilton) from Doon Valley’, J. Natcon., 21(2): 221-232 (2009)

…….Contd.

Habitat preferances of fishes segregated

out of

Lot 12

PART – I [12.1 – 12.3]

&

PART II [12.4 – 12.6]

Coincidently, habitat-wise, all the samples numbered 1 – 6 are favourite inhabitants of torrential, clear-waters of Eastern [Ganges, Suswa, Song] and Western Doon Valley [Yamuna, Asan and Tons etc]. In deeper waters large-sized individuals are often a common sight.

Tor sp. follow a wide altitudinal range between 300 and 900m msl and are especially favourite for Ganges in Uttarakhand (India) at pilgrimages like Haridwar and Rishikesh (forming temple sanctuaries) and further upstream at higher altitudes like Srinagar, Dev Prayag, Karn Prayag, Tehri etc.

Tor putitora is the dominant species as compared to Tor tor, Tor chelynoides preferring a relatively colder regime above 700m msl, as evidenced by their presence along with the catches of Schizothorax or Schizothoraichthys sp.

Garra gotyla gotyla prefers most turbulent streams, the suctorial disc being advantageous for clinging to stones/rocks. Crossocheilus latius has a habit of venturing over gravel and stony bottom of hilly-streams.

Chagunius chagunio is specially characteristic and abundant in forested tracts of Suswa and Song in the Eastern Doon (more frequent in Suswa stretch) as compared to the Asan river of the Western Doon.

Photographs of habitat preferences by species segregated out of Lot – 12

[PART – I & PART II]

River Baldi (a tributary of Song River), upstream (about 700-900m msl) torrential stretch, an ideal dwelling site for Schizothorax richardsonii, Garra sp. and Tor chelynoides.
River Suswa at Kansrao(Eastern Doon): A forested tract, the deeper parts and under tree-shoot pools being the ideal dwelling / hiding grounds for Labeo sp. and Chagunius chagunio.
River Suswa at Kansrao, Rajaji National Park (Eastern Doon): A forested tract, the deeper parts and under tree-shoot pools being the ideal schooling / hiding grounds for Labeo sp. and Chagunius chagunio. The boulder and gravel-strewn stretches give ample anchoring / venturing places for Garra gotyla gotyla and Crossocheilus latius.
The Song River at Raiwala (Eastern Doon): This fast flowing stretch is found to be the ideal dwelling site majorly for Labeo dero, Tor putitora, Tor tor and Garra; Schizothoraichthys progastus, Labeo dyocheilus and Labeo pangusia being occasional in the catches.
The Song River at Teen Paani, Golatappar (Eastern Doon): This fast flowing and dense forested stretch is found to be the ideal dwelling site majorly for Tor putitora, Tor tor and Garra. Other main inhabitant is Labeo dero, followed by Schizothoraichthys progastus, Labeo dyocheilus and Labeo pangusia, occasionally.
[The samples included in Lot – 4 i.e., Raiamas bola and Barilius telio are also found dwelling comfortabley, here].
The Song River, downstream of Teen Paani, at Raiwala (Eastern Doon): This fast flowing stretch is found to be the ideal dwelling site for Tor putitora and Garra. Other inhabitant is Labeo dero, followed by Schizothoraichthys progastus, Labeo dyocheilus and Labeo pangusia.
The Song River, at Maldevta, at about 500 – 700m msl upstream of Doiwala (Eastern Doon): This fast flowing stretch is found to be the ideal dwelling site for Garra and Crossocheilus sp. Other inhabitants have been Schizothorax richardsonii and Tor chelynoides in farther upstream of this stretch.
The Song River, at Doiwala, at about 300m msl downstream of Maldevta (Eastern Doon): This fast flowing stretch is found to be the ideal dwelling site for Tor putitora, Tor tor, Garra and Crossocheilus sp. Labeo dero is also common.
Asan River at Herbertpur (Western Doon): The deeper, stony and pebbly bed, found to be ideal dwelling ground for Labeo and Garra sp.; with occasional catches of Tor putitora.

……..Contd

Tons River at Robber’s Cave (Western Doon): A favourite dwelling site for Garra, Crossocheilus and Labeo pangusia sp.

A curious sight to observe the poaching activity in the vicinity of Song River

Out of greed and for fulfilling hunting desire for food, man has always been engaged in catching fish indiscriminately or killing them by using various stupefying and illegal methods. Various such methods like hammering, dynamiting, electrocuting or putting fish poisons like bleaching powder or plant poisons viz., Sulla (Euphorbia sp), Khinna (Sapium sp.), Mainu (Randia sp.), Rambans (Agave sp.), Ghass (Polygonum sp.) or Timru (Xanthoxylum sp.) are common in the Garhwal or Kumnaon region of Western Himalayas.

Besides, various active and passive methods are also used locally; the former including stream flow diversion, Jaal, Fatiyala (a triangular net), Karonch (a scoop net), Cloth (dragging device), Kanta (Angling) etc. while the latter including Katori or Channi (a pot-trap), Goda (made of bamboo strips), Parchi (a trap also made of bamboo sticks), Atwal (a kind of drift-net), Faans or Fanda (long nylon twine with loops) etc.

The PHOTOGRAPH below shows illegally hunted large-sized fishes from River Song (Eastern Doon):

The segregation of species out of Lot – 13, belonging to Genus Aspidoparia .

An improvisation and compilation by Dr. S.K. Gupta

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