EFFECTS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERS OF FRESHWATER RIVER FENI OF TRIPURA, INDIA ON THE DENSITY OF Sperata aor (HAMILTON, 1822): A STEP FOR SPECIES CONSERVATION

Abstract

This is the study on the ecological impact of the Feni river and its associated faunal diversity with respect to Sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822). The present work was undertaken to ascertain the impact of physico-chemical parameters like water velocity, turbidity, etc of Feni river on the density of Sperata aor. Sperata aor (is being measured as near threatened fish species as per IUCN criteria. To conserve this fish species in nature, the ecological background of the species habitat is indeed important. In this connection, some particular physico-chemical characters of Feni river as for example water velocity, turbidity, HCO₃, DO₂ and silicate etc have been taken into statistical analysis to find out their nature of impact on the density of Sperata aor through multivariate regression analysis. It was seen that water velocity, turbidity, HCO₃, DO₂ and silicate had significant correlation (P< 0.01) with the population density of Sperata aor. The regression analysis also depicted that the multiple correlation coefficient (R) was 0.84280 and the coefficient of multiple determination (R²) was 0.71032. ANOVA showed that the regression was significant (P <0.01). Thus, it indicates that the considered physico-chemical parameters have had significant impact on the density of the studied fish species Sperata aor.