Ichthyo Faunal Diversity and Conservation of Kolleru Lake- A Ramsar Site in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

In Andhra Pradesh, Kolleru Lake has been recognised as wetland of international significance and a Ramsar site. The wetland provides habitat to diverse flora and fauna including some rare and threatened fauna. Seventy eight fish species belong to fourteen orders, 37 families and 57 genera's were identified in the Kolluru Lake and Upputeru Creek diversity. Order cypriniformes was dominant with 26 species which contributed to 41.94% of the total species followed by Perciformes 22.58%, Siluriformes with 19.36%, Channiformes 6.45%, Anguilliformes 3.23%, and Osteoglossiformes 1.61% at Kolleru Lake. The recorded families, genus and species under seven orders the number is same, the order Perciformes was dominant with 07 families, genus and species which contributed to 43.75% followed by Mugilliformes contributed 03 families, genus and species (18.75%). Osteoglssiformes contributed 02 families, genus and species (12.5%). Cyprinodontiformes, Siluriformes, Gonorhynchiformes and Pluronectiformes contributed to each with 01 (06.25%) at Upputeru creek. List of fishes including their order, family, genus, species, common name, economic importance, IUCN (2014.3) and CAMP status were recorded in the present investigation. Keywards: Fauna, Diversity, Kolluru Lake, Upputeru Creek, IUCN, CAMP status