N. Karthik Karthik , Farooz Ahmad Bhat, Tasaduq Hussain Shah, Imtiyaz Qayoom, N. Jayakumar, c. Suchan, P. Sreenivasan, Asra Mattoo, Ishrat Mohd

Schizothorax esocinus (Heckel, 1838) in Dal Lake and Jhelum River: physiological traits and population trends in the Kashmir Himalayas

Introduction

Schizothorax esocinus (heckel, 1838) in dal lake and jhelum river: physiological traits and population trends in the kashmir himalayas. Investigate Schizothorax esocinus in Dal Lake & Jhelum River, Kashmir. Uncover physiological traits, population trends, and habitat-driven differences critical for fish conservation & management.

Abstract

This study investigated the physico-chemical characteristics of Dal Lake and the Jhelum River along with evaluation of the morphometric traits, biometric growth parameters, biological indices, physiological attributes, and biochemical profiles of Schizothorax esocinus populations inhabiting these freshwater systems. The physico-chemical assessment revealed distinct environmental differences between the two habitats, with Dal Lake characterised by relatively warmer water, greater hardness, near-neutral pH, and comparatively lower dissolved oxygen levels than the Jhelum River. Correspondingly, fish from the Jhelum River exhibited greater body size and weight, whereas individuals from Dal Lake showed comparatively smaller morphometric dimensions. Biometric growth analysis indicated positive allometric growth in both populations, with notable variations in growth patterns between the two habitats. Biological indices differed between sites and sexes, reflecting habitat specific reproductive and metabolic conditions. Although haematological parameters showed no marked genderbased differences; however, site and age-related variations were evident, suggesting the influence of environmental conditions on physiological status. Overall, the findings highlight habitat driven differences in environmental quality and associated biological responses in S. esocinus, providing valuable insights for conservation planning and sustainable fisheries management in the freshwater ecosystems of Kashmir. Keywords: Aquatic environment, Condition factor, Hematological indices, Morphometric traits, Physico-chemical parameters

Review

This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the physiological traits and population dynamics of *Schizothorax esocinus* across two ecologically distinct freshwater systems, Dal Lake and the Jhelum River, within the Kashmir Himalayas. The authors employed a robust, multi-faceted approach, combining detailed physico-chemical assessments of the habitats with an array of biological evaluations on the fish, including morphometric traits, biometric growth, biological indices, physiological attributes, and biochemical profiles. This comparative methodology is a significant strength, allowing for a direct analysis of how varying environmental conditions influence a keystone species, which is crucial for understanding ecosystem health and informing conservation strategies in this sensitive region. A key contribution of the research lies in its clear demonstration of habitat-driven differences in both environmental quality and the corresponding biological responses of *S. esocinus*. The abstract highlights distinct environmental characteristics between Dal Lake (warmer, harder, lower dissolved oxygen) and the Jhelum River, which directly correlated with variations in fish parameters. Notably, fish from the Jhelum River exhibited greater body size and weight, while those from Dal Lake showed smaller morphometric dimensions. Furthermore, the analysis of biometric growth, biological indices, and haematological parameters revealed site and age-related variations, reinforcing the strong influence of environmental factors on the species' physiological status and reproductive success, despite no marked gender-based differences in haematology. The findings presented are highly valuable for the conservation and sustainable management of *Schizothorax esocinus* populations and the broader freshwater ecosystems of the Kashmir Himalayas. By meticulously detailing the linkages between environmental quality and specific biological responses in the target species, this study offers critical data for developing evidence-based conservation plans, guiding fisheries management practices, and potentially identifying areas requiring specific environmental interventions. While the abstract strongly implies a correlational link, future work could further explore the mechanistic underpinnings of these physiological adaptations, adding even greater depth to the understanding of this ecologically important fish species.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.