DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF FISH SPECIES IN RIVER MAT IN MIZORAM: PIONEERING DETAILED TAXONOMIC STUDY AND REPORT

Abstract

Ichthyofaunal surveys in the River Mat at different locations from the headwaters to the downstream region in the province of Mizoram, done as a pioneering work (since updated), revealed the occurrence of 26 species of fishes belonging to 23 genera, 11 sub-families, 13 families and 6 orders during the entire period of study. These include 17 species under Cypriniformes, 4 species under Siluriformes, 2 species under Anabantiformes; and, 1 speices each under Beloniformes, Synbranchiformes and  Gobiiformes. Distrubution and Conservation status of each species of fish have been dealt with in the present paper.