Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Fish Species Assemblage and Distribution in the Kameng River, Northeast India

Exploratory surveys were conducted along the Kameng River, a northern tributary of the Brahmaputra River, northeast India, to assess the fish diversity and its distribution pattern, abundance and habitat status. A total of 117 fish species were recorded from 12 selected sites of the river basin. Cyprinids represented the dominant group with 45 species. Garra annandalei, G. quadratirostris, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis and Schizothorax richardsonii were the most dominant species. Principal component analysis revealed the importance of pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and turbidity in shaping the fish species assemblage. The diversity indices and catch per unit effort (CPUE) showed significant variation at different sites in different seasons. Based on NMDS analysis of altitude and species composition, the river is put under three different zones: upper (u), middle (m) and lower (l). Major potential threats for the riverine ecology and their conservation management strategies have been discussed. The present study will be useful for conservation, planning and management of the Kameng River ecosystem and also provide baseline data to future assessments.