Icthyofaunal diversity of puzhakkal river- an evidence case study of rich biodiversity of western ghats

The Indian rivers are proven to be significant sites of cyprinid diversity. Kerala is a state with 44 rivers flowing through the land, forty one west flowing and three east flowing. The streams of Kerala included in the Southern and central division of Western Ghats are considered unique for their exceptional biodiversity with respect to freshwater fishes. Puzhakkal is one of the 41 west flowing rivers of Kerala originating in the Machad hill range and flowing terminally into the Kol fields. It flows along northern part of Thrissur and drains into the Enamakal lake and then to Arabian Sea. The present work investigates the icthyofaunal diversity of Puzhakkal river. collections of live fishes were made during January 2009 to December 2012. 71 species belonging to 48 genus and 26 family and eleven orderswere collected from the present survey. The river exhibited rich endemism with respect to icthyofaunal diversity and is also subjected to severe stress.