Diversity of Aquatic Fauna in Thakabai Lake at Sindewahi Tehsil, District Chandrapur (M.S.) India

1. INTRODUCTION

Ecosystems, particularly lentic water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, host a disproportionate share of global aquatic biodiversity. These water bodies play a critical role in maintaining regional ecological stability, regulating biogeochemical cycles, supporting food webs, and providing vital socio-economic services to rural and semi-urban communities. Aquatic fauna comprising zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and ichthyofauna (fishes) serve as sensitive biological indicators of ecosystem health, water quality, and environmental change. A diverse and structurally balanced aquatic faunal community reflects a resilient aquatic environment capable of sustaining both wild populations and commercial fisheries. The Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, specifically the Chandrapur district, is endowed with numerous natural and man-made freshwater lakes and irrigation tanks. Among these local aquatic resources, Shindewahi Lake functions as a primary water body in the Sindewahi region, fulfilling crucial roles in local agricultural irrigation, pisciculture, groundwater recharge, and supporting local biodiversity. The lake hosts varied microhabitats ranging from shallow littoral zones dominated by macrophytes to open limnetic zones which collectively provide feeding, breeding, and nursery grounds for a wide array of aquatic organisms. Despite the ecological and socio-economic importance of local lentic ecosystems in Central India, many water bodies are experiencing degradation due to anthropogenic pressures, including agricultural runoff, domestic sewage input, siltation, over-exploitation of fisheries, and habitat fragmentation. To design effective conservation strategies and sustainable fishery management plans, establishing baseline scientific documentation of the existing aquatic fauna is essential. Systematic inventories of species richness, spatial-temporal distribution, and relative abundance of aquatic organisms in Sindewahi Lake remain limited. All these aquatic faunal diversity well documented by Ali, S. (2002), Daniel, J. C. (2002), Grimmett, et al (2011), Jayaram, K. C. (2010), Ramakrishna, & Dey, A. (2007), Rao, N. V. S. (1989), Subramanian, K. A., & Sivaramakrishnan, K. G. (2007), Talwar, P. K., & Jhingran, A. G. (1991),Tonapi, G. T. (1980). Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the diversity, community structure, and seasonal variations of the aquatic fauna in Sindewahi Lake. This study provides an updated empirical dataset on faunal composition with particular emphasis on ichthyofaunal diversity and macroinvertebrate distribution and assesses the ecological health of the lake in relation to local environmental factors. The findings from this research aim to serve as a baseline for future ecological monitoring, biodiversity conservation efforts, and the sustainable utilization of aquatic resources in the district.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thakabai Lake is a Lake which is located in Sindewahi, Dist.Chandrapur, Maharashtra and nearby to Kargata, Gadmausi and Bheokund. It is also nearby Agriculture Training (PKV) Centre Sindewahi . The Area of this lake is approximately in 25 acres. The latitude of Thakabai Lake is 20.30931, and the longitude is 79.69171 with the GPS coordinates of 20° 18′ 33.51″ N and 79° 41′ 30.15″ E. Sampling of fauna was done from the selected water bodies in study area. Fish samples were collected on the bank of lake with the help of fisherman’s community, for the purpose of collection of samples continuous contacts were made with the fisherman community in the study area. For observation of diversity of fishes fish markets from rural areas and towns are also used. Samples were photographed and they were Identified with the help of different keys.

3. OBSERVATION

Fishes and birds represented the most dominant biotic components of the wetland ecosystem. Among ichthyofauna, the order Cypriniformes was predominant (representing 50% of total fish species), with Labeo rohita, Catla catla, and Cirrhinus mrigala forming the primary commercial catch. Gastropods of the family Thiaridae (Melanoides tuberculata) showed significant abundance along the littoral margins, while Coleoptera (Rhantus suturalis and Paederus fuscipes) dominated the aquatic insect community. The avifauna was heavily represented by wading and water-dependent species belonging to Pelecaniformes (4 species) and Charadriiformes (2 species), Field surveys carried out across four sampling stations representing distinct microhabitats revealed a total of 27 species belonging to 19 families and 14 orders. The documented faunal assemblage comprised Crustacea (1 species, 3.70%), Aquatic Insects (3 species, 11.11%), Mollusca (4 species, 14.81%), Ichthyofauna (8 species, 29.63%), Amphibians (2 species, 7.41%), and Avifauna (9 species, 33.33%).

Table 1: Diversity of Aquatic Fauna in Thakabai Lake

Table 2: Taxonomic Summary of Aquatic Fauna Documented at Thakabai Lake

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The present investigation reveals a rich biodiversity inhabiting Thakabai Lake , Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. A total of 27 species belonging to major aquatic and semi-aquatic taxonomic groups were recorded (Fig. 1- Fig- 26. The faunal assemblage comprised 1 species of Crustacea (3.70%), 3 species of Insects (11.11%), 4 species of Mollusca (14.81%), 8 species of Fishes (29.63%), 2 species of Amphibians (7.41%), and 9 species of Avifauna (33.33%) (Table 1). Fishes and birds collectively constituted the majority of the recorded biodiversity, highlighting the ecological capability of the lake to support higher trophic levels.

Photographic Plate 1 — Figures 1–10: Aquatic fauna documented at Thakabai Lake.

Photographic Plate 2 — Figures 11–20: Fishes, amphibians and aquatic birds documented at Thakabai Lake.

Photographic Plate 3 — Figures 21–27: Avifauna documented at Thakabai Lake.

1. Crustacea

The crustacean fauna in Thakabai Lake was represented by a single decapod species, Fenneropenaeus indicus (Indian white prawn), belonging to the family Penaeidae. The occurrence of F. indicus in the sampling sites indicates its ecological adaptability and commercial value for local artisanal fisheries. The dominance and persistence of penaeid species in coastal and inland modified saline/brackish environments of Maharashtra have been well documented. Similar findings regarding the distribution and commercial importance of penaeid prawns were reported by Saksena et al. (2008) in the Kharland ponds of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.

2. Aquatic Insects

Aquatic insects were represented by 3 species spanning 2 orders. The order Coleoptera emerged as the dominant group, primarily represented by Rantus spp. (Dytiscidae) and Rove beetles (Staphylinidae). Aquatic beetles act as key bioindicators of water quality and secondary consumers in freshwater food webs. The prevalence of coleopterans suggests the presence of rich littoral vegetation and organic substrate along the lake margins. This structural pattern aligns with the findings of Wankhade et al. (2014), who observed a similar dominance of Coleoptera while assessing insect diversity at the Sawanga-Vithoba Lake in Amravati District, Maharashtra.

3. Mollusca

A total of 4 molluscan species, all belonging to the class Gastropoda, were recorded during the study period. These species were distributed across four distinct families: Viviparidae, Thiaridae, Lymnaeidae, and Planorbidae. Among these, the family Thiaridae exhibited maximum dominance, with empty shells heavily scattered along the littoral margins of the lake. Thiarids are benthic detritivores that thrive in substrates rich in organic matter and microalgal mats. Their high population density is consistent with the observations of Misar et al. (2020), who reported a similar dominance of gastropod families—specifically Thiaridae—in Junona Lake, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra.

4. Ichthyofauna

The fish community represented the dominant aquatic vertebrate group, comprising 8 species distributed across 4 orders, 5 families, and 7 genera. The order Cypriniformes was the most dominant taxonomic group, accounting for 4 species (50% of total fish species), followed by Siluriformes and Perciformes. The structural dominance of cyprinids is a hallmark of tropical freshwater ecosystems in the Deccan Plateau, driven by their wide ecological tolerance and omnivorous feeding habits. These results correlate well with earlier freshwater surveys; for instance, Jadhav and Bhosale (1996) recorded a cyprinid-dominated fish fauna (13 species) in the Bhima River at Pedgaon, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra.

5. Amphibians

Amphibian diversity was represented by 2 species, both belonging to the order Anura and family Dicroglossidae / Rhacophoridae. The presence of anurans underlines the availability of healthy ecotones (land-water interface) required for their biphasic life cycles. Amphibians serve as critical link species between aquatic and terrestrial food webs. The recorded species composition is supported by the observations of Wagh et al. (2017), who noted similar anuran distribution patterns across varied freshwater habitats in the Amravati District.

6. Avifauna

A total of 9 avian species spread across 5 orders were documented utilizing the lake for foraging, resting, and nesting. The order Pelecaniformes (waterbirds such as herons and egrets) was the most dominant, represented by 4 species. Order Charadriiformes (waders) was represented by 2 species, while Anseriformes, Columbiformes, and Passeriformes were represented by 1 species each.The high representation of Pelecaniformes and Charadriiformes highlights the lake's functional status as a wetland habitat offering abundant prey base (fishes, molluscs, and insects) and shallow wading areas. Broadly similar avifaunal patterns in freshwater wetlands were recorded by Lad and Patil (2015) in the wetlands of Thane District, Maharashtra.

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