UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Fish diversity and habitat quality assessments were done in Moga Wetland of eastern Uttar Pradesh from November 2023 to April 2024. A total of 23 fish species were collected and were taxonomically identified. The mean values of diversity indices, viz., Simpson’s species richness Index (D), Shannon-Wiener diversity Index (H), Margalef’s Diversity index, and Pielou’s Evenness index (J) in the Wetland were ranged from 0.721 to 0.874, 1.4535 to 2.1942, 1.44062 to 2.4136 and 0.75924 to 0.82612, respectively. The indices showed notable variations between seasons, but that between sampling sites were meagre. The Water quality parameters such as Electrical conductivity (0.76 -0.85 dS/m), salinity (0.36 – 0.43 ppt), DO (3.23 – 3.84 mg/l), free CO₂ (10.47 – 13.23 mg/l), TDS (271.4 – 296.3 mg/l), and ammonia-N levels (0.35 – 0.37mg/l) also showed monthly variations. We found a highly varied pattern of correlation between fish abundance and water quality parameters in the wetland, where positive correlations were observed for some parameters in some months and negative correlation in other months, as influenced by monsoon and summer-draught periods. Various habitat disturbances due to human interferences might have also contributed to this complex pattern. The CCA plot showed that pH, salinity, and DO positively influence the distribution of Puntius chola, Anabas testudineus, Cirrhinus mrigala, and Systomus phulo, while ammonia, temperature, and CO₂ favored the presence of Eutropiichthys vacha, Mystus tengra, and Puntius sophore. Higher TDS and EC supported Heteropneustes fossilis, Channa striata, and Trichogaster fasciata, reflecting tolerance to enriched, mineral-rich habitats. Our research provides the first-ever scientific data on fish diversity and its environmental correlatives in Moga Wetland. The findings of this study could be used for framing plans for sustainable utilization and conservation of fish and aquatic resources in wetlands of Central India.Fish diversity and habitat quality assessments were done in Moga Wetland of eastern Uttar Pradesh from November 2023 to April 2024. A total of 23 fish species were collected and were taxonomically identified. The mean values of diversity indices, viz., Simpson’s species richness Index (D), Shannon-Wiener diversity Index (H), Margalef’s Diversity index, and Pielou’s Evenness index (J) in the Wetland were ranged from 0.721 to 0.874, 1.4535 to 2.1942, 1.44062 to 2.4136 and 0.75924 to 0.82612, respectively. The indices showed notable variations between seasons, but that between sampling sites were meagre. The Water quality parameters such as Electrical conductivity (0.76 -0.85 dS/m), salinity (0.36 – 0.43 ppt), DO (3.23 – 3.84 mg/l), free CO2 (10.47 – 13.23 mg/l), TDS (271.4 – 296.3 mg/l), and ammonia-N levels (0.35 – 0.37mg/l) also showed monthly variations. We found a highly varied pattern of correlation between fish abundance and water quality parameters in the wetland, where positive correlations were observed for some parameters in some months and negative correlation in other months, as influenced by monsoon and summer-draught periods. Various habitat disturbances due to human interferences might have also contributed to this complex pattern. The CCA plot showed that pH, salinity, and DO positively influence the distribution of Puntius chola, Anabas testudineus, Cirrhinus mrigala, and Systomus phulo, while ammonia, temperature, and CO₂ favored the presence of Eutropiichthys vacha, Mystus tengra, and Puntius sophore. Higher TDS and EC supported Heteropneustes fossilis, Channa striata, and Trichogaster fasciata, reflecting tolerance to enriched, mineral-rich habitats. Our research provides the first-ever scientific data on fish diversity and its environmental correlatives in Moga Wetland. The findings of this study could be used for framing plans for sustainable utilization and conservation of fish and aquatic resources in wetlands of Central India.