FRESHWATER FISH SURVEY OF HOMADOLA-NAKIYADENIYA ESTATES, SRI LANKA.

Prepared by Hiranya Sudasinghe BSc. (Hons) Zoology, M.Phil. reading (University of Peradeniya)

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INTRODUCTION

The diversity of freshwater fishes in Sri Lanka is remarkably high, with a total of 93 indigenous

fishes being recorded from inland waters, out of which 53 are considered to be endemic

(MOE, 2012; Batuwita et al., 2013). Out of these, 21 are listed as Critically Endangered, 19 as

Endangered and five as Vulnerable in the National Red List (MOE, 2012). In addition, several

new species of freshwater fishes have been discovered in the recent past which have not yet

been evaluated for Red Listing (Batuwita et al., 2017; Sudasinghe 2017; Sudasinghe &

Meegaskumbura, 2016; Sudasinghe et al., 2016). Out of the 22 families that represent the Sri

Lankan freshwater ichthyofauna, the family Cyprinidae dominates, representing about 50%

of the species, followed by the families Gobiidae, Channidae and Bagridae, which represent

seven, five and four species, respectively. The remainder of the other families are each

represented in Sri Lanka by three species or less.

Four major ichthyological zones, viz. Southwestern zone, Mahaweli zone, Dry zone and the

Transition zone were identified by Senanayake and Moyle (1982) based on the distribution

and the endemism of the fish. The Southwestern zone shows the greatest diversity, followed

by the Mahaweli zone, with the least diversity observed in the Dry zone. About 60% of the

freshwater fishes occur both in the dry and the wet zones of the island while the rest are more

or less restricted to the wet zone. Of the endemic fishes, more than 60% are restricted to the

wet zone of the island while about 30% occur in both the dry and the wet zones. Thirteen

species are considered to be micro-endemics, with highly restricted distributions within the

island.

As part of my ongoing research, I first visited the Homadola estate on 26/Sep/2017 to sample

a recently described species: Devario udenii. Upon my first visit, I was invited to carry out an

extensive study on the freshwater fish fauna to facilitate the ongoing RSPO projects being

carried out in these estates. Thus, herewith I provide the information gathered during my

brief field sampling and recommendations to enrich the freshwater habitats inside these

estates.

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MATERIALS AND METHODS

Field work was carried out on 26/Sep/2017 and 15-17/Dec/2017 in aquatic habitats inside the

Homadola and Nakiyadeniya estates belonging to the Watawala Plantations PLC. Habitat

characteristics of the sampled sites are provided in Table 1. Sampling sites were selected to

represent a variety of different habitat characteristics (Appendix 1). Garmin® Map GPS 64 was

used to obtain GPS coordinates of the locations. Fishes were observed underwater using a

mask and a snorkel where applicable and netting was done either using a drag net (3 m × 1.5

m) and hand net (0.5 m ×0.5m). Fishes were photographed underwater using Olympus TG4

camera and some were captured and photographed in a glass aquarium using a Canon 7D

camera with a 100 mm macro lens.

Table 1. Sampling localities and habitat characteristics of sites at Homadola and

Nakiyadeniya estates

Habitat A B C D E F

Local name Homadola

estate

Homadola

estate

Homadola

estate

Madola,

Homadola estate

Nakiyadeniya

estate

Seethala dola,

Nakiyadeniya

estate

GPS

coordinates

6.2137,

80.34956

6.21576,

80.34361

6.22542,

80.33901

6.22953,

80.36664

6.16996,

80.35834

6.15178,

80.31023

Habitat type Large stream Large stream Small river Small river Small streams stream

Surrounding Disturbed

secondary

forest

Disturbed

secondary

forest/ palm

oil

Disturbed

secondary

forest/tea

Undisturbed

secondary forest

Anthropogenic

/palm oil

Palm oil

Flow rate Fast Moderate Moderate/Fast Moderate/Fast slow Moderate/

Fast

Bottom

substrate

Pebbles/sand

/boulders

Pebbles/sand Pebbles/sand/

boulders

Boulders/pebbles Sand/silt Pebbles/sand/

boulders

Canopy

cover

50-70% 50-60% 50-60% 50-70% open 20-30%

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RESULTS

A total of 29 species of freshwater fishes belonging to 12 families were recorded during the

survey (Table 2). Family Cyprinidae dominated with 15 species followed by family Gobiidae

(three species) and Osphronemidae (two species). The rest of the families Cobitidae,

Nemacheilidae, Bagridae, Claridae, Belonidae, Aplocheilidae, Channidae, Mastacembelidae

and Poecilidae were represented by a single species each (Figure 1). Out of the 29 species

recorded, 16 species were endemic. The freshwater fish species recorded included a Critically

Endangered species (Sicyopterus griseus), eight Endangered species (Pethia cumingii, Pethia

nigrofasciata, Puntius kelumi, Puntius titteya, Systomus pleurotaenia, Mystus ankutta,

Aplocheilus werneri, and Sicyopus jonklaasi), a Vulnerbale species (Garra ceylonensis) and an

exotic species (Poecilia reticulata: Figure 2).

In terms of species richness, the most number of species were recorded at Habitat C (19

species) and the least number of species were recorded at Habitat B (4 species: Figure 3).

Figure 1. Freshwater fish families recorded during the fish survey.

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Table 2. List of freshwater fish species recorded in the streams of Homadola and

Nakiyadeniya estates during the survey. Species in bold-face are endemic.

Family

Species Common Name Habitat Conservation Status

A B C D E F

Cyprinidae Dawkinsia singhala Sri Lanka

Filamented barb

- - + + + - Least Concerned

Cyprinidae Devario udenii

Udenii’s Danio + + + + - - Not Evaluated

Cyprinidae Garra ceylonensis Sri Lanka Stone

Sucker

+ - + + - + Vulnerable

Cyprinidae Pethia cumingii

Cuming’s Barb - - + - - - Endangered

Cyprinidae Pethia nigrofasciata

Black Ruby Barb - - + + - - Endangered

Cyprinidae Puntius bimaculatus

Red-side barb - - - - + - Least Concerned

Cyprinidae Puntius dorsalis Long-snouted

barb

+ + + + + - Least Concerned

Cyprinidae Puntius kelumi

Kelumi’s barb - - + + - - Endangered

Cyprinidae Puntius titteya

Cherry barb - - - - + + Endangered

Cyprinidae Puntius vittatus

Silver barb - - - - + + Least Concerned

Cyprinidae Rasbora dandia Broad-lined

rasbora

- + + + + + Least Concerned

Cyprinidae Rasboroides

pallidus

Golden rasbora - - - + - - Not Evaluated

Cyprinidae Systomus

pleurotaenia

Black-lined barb + + + + - - Endangered

Cyprinidae Systomus sarana Olive barb - - + - - - Least Concerned

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Cyprinidae Tor khudree

Mahseer + - + + - - Near Threatened

Cobitidae Lepidocephalichthys

thermalis

Common spiny

loach

- - - - + - Least Concerned

Nemacheilidae Schistura

notostigma

Banded mountain

loach

+ - + + - + Near Threatened

Bagridae Mystus ankutta

Dwarf catfish - - + - - - Endangered

Claridae Clarias brachysoma

Walking catfish - - - - + - Near Threatened

Belonidae Xenentodon cancila Freshwater gar

fish

- - + - - - Near Threatened

Aplocheilidae Aplocheilus werneri Werner’s killifish

- - - - + + Endangered

Gobiidae Awaous

melanocephalus

Scribbled goby + - + + - + Least Concerned

Gobiidae Sicyopterus griseus

Stone goby - - + - - - Critically Endangered

Gobiidae Sicyopus jonklaasi Lipstick goby

+ - + + - - Endangered

Osphronemidae Belontia signata Combtail

+ - + + + + Near Threatened

Osphronemidae Pseudosphromenus

cupanus

Spike-tailed

paradise fish

- - - - + - Least Concerned

Channidae Channa gachua

Brown snakehead - - - - + - Least Concerned

Mastacembelidae Mastacembelus

armatus

Marbled spiny eel - - + + - - Least Concerned

Poecilidae Poecilia reticulata Guppy

- - - - + - Exotic

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Figure 2. Conservation status of freshwater fish species recorded during the survey.

Figure 3. Species richness in different sampling localities during the survey.

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DISCUSSION

Recording of 29 species of freshwater fish species based on the brief survey carried out during

only four days of field work, suggest that the aquatic habitats are quite diverse and rich in

terms of freshwater fishes. Though not recorded from this survey, there are several other

confirmed records of some freshwater fish species in the collection of the Wildlife Heritage

trust (WHT) now at the National Museum of Sri Lanka recorded from this area. This include a

Critically Endangered species called Lepidocephalycthys jonklaasi (Jonklas’s loach) recorded

from “Udugama ela” (Figure 4). This species is likely recorded around the Habitat C in small

shady streams flowing to the site that I sampled. Thus, close inspection in small streams

around habitat C is highly recommended to confirm the presence of this species.

Lepidocephalycthys jonklaasi is recorded only in few localities in the lowland wet zone mainly

around rainforests and prefers slow flowing, well shaded, small streams with clear water.

Thus, if this species is recorded from the small streams inside the Homadola estates, an in-

situ conservation plan can be initiated inside the estate.

Figure 4. WHT30661, A specimen of Lepidocephalycthys jonklaasi collected from “Udugama

ela” in 2000.

Other freshwater fish species not recorded during my brief survey but are known to occur

around Homadola area include Channa orientalis (Smooth breasted Snakehead: Endemic,

Vulnerable), Ompok argestes (Mottled Butter catfish: Endemic, Not evaluated) and

Heteropneustes fossilis (Stinging Catfish: Native, Least Concerned). If these species are also

taken into account, the total number of species recorded around Homadola-Nakiyadeniya

sites would be 33 species of which 19 would be endemic. If more number of sampling

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localities and night sampling were carried out, it is likely that several more species of

freshwater fish are to be recorded from Homadola-Nakiyadeniya estates.

When comparing the species richness and endemicity at different sampling sites, habitats C

and D harbored most number of species as well as most number of endemic species. Both

these habitats had a relatively undisturbed buffer zone consisting of secondary rainforest.

These habitats also harbored the most number of threatened species (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Endemicity and number of threatened species recorded in the different habitats

sampled.

Sicyopterus griseus, one of the rarest species of gobies in Sri Lanka were recorded at Habitat

C. It is a Critically Endangered species recorded only from few localities within the south-west

region of Sri Lanka. They are found only in the clear, fast flowing, with rocky boulders, usually

in large streams or rivers. This species has an amphidromous life cycle, in which the adults

grow and reproduce in freshwater, the larvae hatch in freshwater but migrate downstream

to the sea and again migrate back to freshwater as adults. Therefore the continuation of an

uninterrupted flow of the water bodies are critical to the life cycle of this species.

The record of Rasboroides pallidus at habitat D is also important highlighting the pristine

nature of these habitats. Rasboroides pallidus are very sensitive to changes in water quality

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and are found only in clear, well shaded streams around lowland rainforests. There are only

two endemic genera of freshwater fishes in Sri Lanka and the genus Raboroides is one of

them.

The population of hill stream loaches of the genus Schistura, I recorded from the habitat F at

Seethala-dola in Nakiyadeniya is quite different from the typical Schistura notostigma that is

found in fast flowing streams in Sri Lanka (Figure 6). I am currently examining and comparing

the samples I’ve collected with the reference specimens. If in fact, I conclude this population

to be a hitherto unknown new species and describe it in a scientific article, I strongly

recommend to carry out an in-situ conservation program and an ecological study for this

species. As it is found outside any protected area, a proper conservation plan would ensure

its survival.

Figure 6. A, population of Schistura recorded from Seethaladola, Nakiyadeniya; B, typical

coloration of Schistura notostigma.

The occurrence of Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) in the site E were mainly disturbed habitats

close to anthropogenic activities. Guppies are able to survive in very harsh conditions and

their high rate of reproduction ensures their survival even in extreme conditions. The native

species recorded at site E, too were mainly the most common species excluding Puntius

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titteya and Aplocheilus werneri that are encountered in diverse habitats. Though recorded,

the abundance of Puntius titteya and Aplocheilus werneri at site E was comparably low.

In conclusion, there is a remarkable species richness of freshwater fish species observed in

the habitats sampled at Homadola and Nakiyadeniya estates including several rare, endemic

and threatened species. Few more species are likely to be added to the list, if more field

sampling is carried out.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I am thankful to Mr Binesh Pananwala (CEO), Mr Chamika Naranapitiya (DGM- South) and

the staff (Mr Ruwan Gunaratne, Mr Malinda Jayasundara, Mr Dinuka Lanka and others) of

Watawala Plantations PLC, Sunshine Holdings for providing me the opportunity to carry out

field work at Nakiyadeniya and Homadola estates and for their kind hospitality during my

visits. I am grateful to Mr Kumudu Wijesooriya and Mr Tharindu Ranasinghe for providing

me with assistance during the field work.

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GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Maintain a buffer zone of at least 2-5 m on both sides of aquatic habitats found inside

the estates as a proportion to the width of the aquatic habitat.

2. Buffer zones to be planted with native vegetation in disturbed habitats.

3. Planting species of Lagenandra (“Ketala”) and Aponogeton (“Kekatiya) along the

marginal vegetation of disturbed habitats which will provide suitable breeding

grounds and hiding places for most of freshwater fish species.

4. Identify Aplocheilus werneri, and Puntius titteya, as the key species found in slow

flowing, clear, shady, small streams. They are sensitive species and their presence in

such habitats indicate favorable habitat for most of other species as well.

5. Identify Rasboroides pallidus as the key species found in slow flowing, clear, shady,

large streams/rivers. Rasboroides pallidus is a very sensitive species and its presence

in such habitats indicate favorable habitat for most of other species as well.

6. Identify Systomus pleurotaenia, Sicyopterus griseus, and Sicyopus jonklaasi as the key

species found in fast flowing, clear, open, large streams/rivers. Systomus pleurotaenia

is a sensitive species and its presence in such habitats indicate favorable habitat for

most of other species as well, while Sicyopterus griseus, and Sicyopus jonklaasi are

habitat specialists found only in fast flowing, rocky regions of the streams/rivers.

7. Investigate the presence/absence of the Critically Endangered Lepidocephalycthys

jonklaasi in the slow flowing, clear, shady, small streams inside the estates, and if

present, plan an in-situ conservation plan for the species.

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REFERENCES

Batuwita, S., Silva, M. & Edirisinghe, U. (2013) A review of the danionine genera

Rasboroides and Horadandia (Pisces: Cyprinidae), with description of a new species

from Sri Lanka. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, 24 (2), 121-140.

Batuwita, S., de silva, M., & Udugampala, S. (2017) A review of the genus Devario in Sri Lanka

(Teleostei: Cyprinidae), with description of two new species. FishTaxa, 2(3), 156-179.

MOE (Ministry of Environment) (2012) The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation

Status of the Fauna and Flora. Colombo: Ministry of Environment.

Senanayake, F.R. & Moyle, P.B. (1982) Conservation of freshwater fishes of SriLanka.

Biological Conservation, 22 (3), 181-195.

Sudasinghe, H. (2017) Schistura madhavai, a new species of hill-stream loach from Sri Lanka,

with redescription of S. notostigma (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa, 4311(1), 96-

110.

Sudasinghe, H., & Meegaskumbura, M. (2016) Ompok argestes, a new species of silurid catfish

endemic to Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Siluridae). Zootaxa, 4158 (2), 261-271.

Sudasinghe, H., Pethiyagoda, R., Maduwage, K., & Meegaskumbura, M. (2016) Mystus nanus,

a new striped catfish from Sri Lanka (Teleostei: Bagridae). Ichthyological Exploration

of Freshwaters, 27 (2), 163-172.

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