Habitat predilection of Amblyceps apangi from the streams of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Abstract

This is the pioneer study on the detailed Habitat preferences of the soft-headed endemic hill catish Amblyceps apangi Nath & Dey, 1989, from the streams of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Analysis of habitat parameters for A. apangi confirmed that they have the specialized and distinguishable habitat predilection in lotic system. The mean variation of the certain physico-chemical parameters shows that a clear fluctuation in all seasons. Air and water temperature recorded maximum values during monsoon.The temperature was positively correlated with conductivity and CO2 whereas negative relationship with DO, pH, TDS and Alkalinity. The pH of water was recorded near neutral to slightly alkaline in the lotic system of Tumru village. The variation in CO2 concentration was negligible during different season and its maximum value was recorded in post monsoon. Conductivity was found to be maximum in monsoon whereas maximum value on TDS in post-monsoon. Water current was recorded its maximum velocity in monsoon and minimum during pre-monsoon. The substrate composition of this fish habitat was dominated by pebblesfollowed by cobbles, gravel, boulder devoid of clay. The habitat had a good cover of riparian vegetation with shrubsdominating the vegetation types and the vegetation stage in matured stage.