Journal of Applied Animal Research

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Pattern of reproductive biology of the endangered

golden mahseer Tor putitora (Hamilton 1822)
with special reference to regional climate change
implications on breeding phenology from lesser
Himalayan region, India

Kripal Datt Joshi, Shyamal Chandra Shukla Das, Ravindra Kumar Pathak,
Amanullah Khan, Uttam Kumar Sarkar & Koushik Roy

To cite this article: Kripal Datt Joshi, Shyamal Chandra Shukla Das, Ravindra Kumar Pathak,
Amanullah Khan, Uttam Kumar Sarkar & Koushik Roy (2018) Pattern of reproductive biology of the
endangered golden mahseer Tor�putitora (Hamilton 1822) with special reference to regional climate
change implications on breeding phenology from lesser Himalayan region, India, Journal of Applied
Animal Research, 46:1, 1289-1295, DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2018.1497493

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2018.1497493

© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa Published online: 18 Jul 2018.

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JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH
2018, VOL. 46, NO. 1, 1289–1295
https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2018.1497493

Pattern of reproductive biology of the endangered golden mahseer Tor putitora

(Hamilton 1822) with special reference to regional climate change implications on
breeding phenology from lesser Himalayan region, India
Kripal Datt Joshia,b, Shyamal Chandra Shukla Dasa, Ravindra Kumar Pathaka,c, Amanullah Khana, Uttam Kumar Sarkarc
and Koushik Roy c,d
a
Regional Centre, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Allahabad, India; bICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, India;
c
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata, India; dInstitute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection
of Waters, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

Mahseer is an important group of endemic game fish found in the Indian subcontinent inhabiting in Received 20 October 2017
streams, riverine pools and lakes. Besides commercial fishery, it also forms lucrative sport fishery in the Accepted 27 June 2018
Himalayan rivers. Samples of golden mahseer (Tor putitora) were collected from the river Kosi at
KEYWORDS
Ramnagar area (lesser Himalayan region) of Uttarakhand, India during 2014–2016 to study reproductive Tor putitora; reproductive
biology and trace any changes in breeding phenology from earlier records. The observed breeding biology; breeding phenology;
season was from July till September. In males (310–565 mm, 355–1750 g) and females (315–580 mm, climate change; lesser
260–2500 g), GSI values surged from late June to early July and peaked in August. Absolute and Himalayas; Uttarakhand
relative fecundity ranged from 4217 to 8365 and from 3667 to 7348 per kg, respectively. The maximum
water temperature was usually recorded in May (30.5°C) and minimum (18.4°C) in January. Sex ratio
was estimated at 1:1.25 with χ 2 value of 3.20 and the difference was non-significant. The breeding
phenology of golden mahseer may likely have gone through two distinct steps of transformation viz.
shifting-prolongation (1911–1981) and reduction-stabilization (1981–present). Even after a probable
reduction in duration of breeding season and shift (delay) in onset of breeding in Golden mahseer
population of lesser Himalayan region during 1911–1981, some stabilization in breeding phenology
appears to have been attained since 2000s. It is predicted that the species appears to be continuously
adapting to changing climate in lesser Himalayas.

harvests of the fish prior to its achieving breeding maturity

Introduction
leads to population size depression (Bhatt and Pandit 2016).
Mahseer is famous for its delicacy as food fish, but it gains much However, there are recent ‘unverified’ reports of probable
more attention due to its capabilities as an excellent game fish. reduction in age at maturity in both sexes from Uttarakhand,
Mahseers are declining in their natural habitats due to various India (CIFRI 2016a, 2016b). Although efforts are under way to
anthropogenic activities which are further exacerbated by further validate the observation, the question that remains
climate change. Realizing its importance, several organizations worthy of exploration is – whether such phenomenon is a
are working towards its conservation. Golden mahaseer Tor result of long-term growth overfishing on golden mahseers or
putitora (Hamilton 1822) is a very popular sport fish among attainment of faster maturity under changing climate or both.
the anglers across the world. This ‘endangered’ species is In India, the Golden mahseers are mostly restricted to cold-tem-
widely distributed in South and South-East. T. putitora is perate regions of Himalayas and Western Ghats in India (Lakra
regarded as an important game fish of great conservation et al. 2010). In general, mahseers are facing the threat of extinc-
value in countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, tion and many species under this group, like T. putitora itself, are
Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The categorized as endangered. The major threats include overfi-
fish is a typical freshwater, bentho-pelagic omnivore inhabiting shing, loss of habitat, decline in habitat quality, loss of breeding
streams, riverine pools and lakes; especially the rapid streams grounds and other anthropogenic effects, especially the prolific
with rocky bottom. Thermal habitat preference lies within 13– creation of dams that have directly resulted in declines across
30°C. The species is potamodromous in nature and regarded several locations. (Jha and Rayamajhi 2010). Considering the
as an altitudinal migrant (Jha and Rayamajhi 2010; IUCN 2017; importance of Mahseers, four Indian states have declared
Fishbase 2018). In general, they do not reach sexual maturity them as their state fish to further intensify and improve
till 4+ year age class (Nautiyal 1994), although males attain accountability towards effective conservation (Sarkar et al.
sexual maturity faster than females. Therefore, large-scale 2015). Interests on mahseer due to its commercial value and

CONTACT Uttam Kumar Sarkar usarkar1@rediffmail.com, [email protected] ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata 700120,
West Bengal, India
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distri-
bution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
1290 K. D. JOSHI ET AL.

conservation status have encouraged researchers to provide formalin for further studies. After allowing the ovaries to
more information on this species and contribute scientifically attain hardness, they were taken out and dehydrated using
towards the much-needed biological database for devising con- cotton or blotting paper. The gonadosomatic index and
servation measures (Nautiyal et al. 2008, Sarkar et al. 2008; Bhatt fecundity were calculated using following formula:
and Pandit 2016). In general, the present scenario of mahseer
Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) = Gonad weight ∗100/Body weight
fish species is well known for conserving and restoring the
fish in Indian waters (Lakra et al. 2010; Sarkar et al. 2015; Fecundity (F) = (Total weight of ovary)/(Weight of sample)
Bhatt and Pandit 2016).
× No.ofeggs
The Golden Mahseer is an important endemic fish found in
the Indian subcontinent and the species is commercially Sokal and Rolhf (1973) have given the following formula,
exploited in their own natural habitat (e.g. streams, rivers, especially for two class calculation of chi-square.
lakes). Major areas of distribution in India include Himachal

Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (Nautiyal Chi-square (x2 ) = (O2i /Ei ) − n
et al. 2001; Bhatt et al. 2004). For an endangered fish like
where, Oi = Observed frequency; Ei = Expected frequency;
golden mahseer, the study of reproductive biology is vital for
n = Number of sample
understanding the maturity, recruitment process, male–
An exhaustive literature review (peer reviewed journals, bul-
female ratio in the stock and changes in breeding phenology
letins, annual reports, thesis and cross references) was done to
(Nautiyal and Lal 1985; Pathani 1994; Mayank et al. 2016).
compile historical records on breeding season of Golden
The gonadosomatic index (GSI) is useful in determining the
mahseer from Indian waters following the strategies outlined
stages of gonadal maturation and period of greatest reproduc-
in Myers et al. (2017). Out of these (n = 25), only reports from
tive intensity (Hojo et al. 2004). Knowledge of the fish length at
Uttarakhand region (n = 9) were selected and plotted in a
first sexual maturity is indispensable to estimate the size of the
graphical chronogram using Systat SigmaPlot v11.0 keeping
spawning stock (Neja, 1992). Fecundity is effective in evaluat-
the observed breeding season as reference. Metadata for
ing the commercial potentialities of its stock, variations in
climate change trend in lesser Himalayan regions of Uttarak-
fish population, life history, fish culture for appropriate plan-
hand, which includes the present study area, were extracted
ning of the hatching and nursery operations and management
from Uttarakhand state action plan for climate change
of the fishery (Marimuthu et al. 2009). The GSI, fecundity and
(UAPCC 2014).
sex ratio of T. putitora has been studied by various researchers
in different regions and habitats (Dunsford 1911, Pathani 1978,
1981, 1983; Pathani and Das 1979; Nautiyal 1984; Dobriyal et al.
Results
2000; Mohan 2000; Nautiyal, Dwivedi, et al. 2007; Nautiyal,
Rizvi, et al. 2007). But, there is no previous literature from Reproductive biology and habitat quality
the Kosi river at Ramnagar area of Uttarakhand which rep-
In this study, it was observed that the values of GSI increase
resents the ‘lesser Himalayan region’. The river Kosi represent
from June onwards reaching a peak in August. In male, peak
typical mahseer habitats including its rhithon, potamon
value of GSI (1.31) was observed in the month of August and
zones and upland tributaries, which are sites for over-wintering
female (3.08) was also observed in the same month. This indi-
migration and breeding, overlooked over the years perhaps for
cates the peak spawning season in the month of August with
being a part of the lesser Himalayan belt. In this backdrop, an
a water temperature of 21.2–26.4 (Figure 1). The minimum
attempt has been made to study the reproductive traits like
value of GSI was recorded in November for male and in Decem-
GSI, fecundity and sex ratio of Golden Mahseer, Tor putitora
ber for female. The fecundity of T. putitora was directly corre-
from the Kosi river at Ramnagar area of Uttarakhand.
lated to the length of fishes. Absolute and relative fecundity
Additional attempts were also made to determine the
ranged from 4217 to 8365 and from 3667 to 7378/kg body
changes (if any) in breeding phenology from earlier records
weight among the different-sized female fish (Table 1). Total
and collate such changes with the changing climate of the
length of the fishes ranged between 310 and 565 mm (355–
region for sustainable management of natural population.
1750 gm) for male and 315 and 580 mm (260–2500 gm) for

Material and methods

A total of 263 samples of golden mahseer T. putitora (Hamilton
1822) were collected between April 2014 and March 2016 from
Kosi river in Ramnagar District, Uttarakhand, India (29°41′ 10′′
and 79°13′ 27′′ ). Fishes were collected with the help of local
fishermen with experimental fishing using cast nets and gill
nets of different mesh sizes and from the local Ramnagar fish
market. Species identification was done following Talwar and
Jhingran (1991) and Patiyal et al. (2014). Length (mm) and
weight (g) of each collected sample were measured. Fresh
gonad samples were removed and stage of reproductive matur- Figure 1. Dynamics of Gonadsomatic index (GSI) of T. putitora with water
ity was recorded. Gonads were weighted and preserved in 8% temperature variation.
 JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 1291

Table 1. Fecundity of T. putitora from the Kosi river. Table 2. Sex ratio of T. putitora from the Kosi river.
Length of Weight of Fecundity Size No. of No of Sex ratio Chi-square
Months fishes (mm) fishes (g) (absolute/relative per kg) groups males females (M:F) (χ 2) Remarks
June 2015 495 1150 4217/3667 311–350 5 4 1:0.8 0.10 Non-significant
June 2015 490 1390 5519/3970 351–390 20 3 1:0.15 12.56 Significant
July 2015 520 1200 6093/5070 391–430 24 21 1:0.87 0.20 Non-significant
July 2015 415 980 4495/4590 431–470 31 45 1:1.45 2.56 Significant
July 2015 540 1410 6213/4400 471–510 24 38 1:1.58 3.16 Non-significant
July 2015 545 1500 6803/4535 511–550 10 21 1:2.1 3.90 Significant
August 2015 510 1530 6263/4093 551–590 3 14 1:4.67 7.12 Significant
August 2015 450 1240 5482/4420 Stock 117 146 1:1.25 3.20 Non-significant
August 2015 550 1700 8365/4920
August 2015 460 1200 8265/6880
September 2015 580 1700 8298/4881
September 2015 500 1450 5879/7348 11.36 mgl−1, 8 and 19 mgl−1, 105 and 118 mgl−1 and 110 and
133 mgl−1, respectively (Table 3).

female. Based on observations, the females appeared to mature Changes in breeding phenology
sexually only after attaining a total length of 415 mm. The
relationship between total body length and absolute fecundity The breeding phenology of Golden mahseer in Uttarakhand
showed a mild but significant strength (r = .569, p < .05) as region, India, appears to have undergone a transition over the
depicted in Figure 2. The presence of brooders, GSI and fecund- last 10 decades. Analysis of metadata from published reports
ity along with its seasonal cycle enabled to conclude that the on Golden mahseer breeding phenology during 1911–2007
spawning season of the T. putitora commences from July and has been graphically represented in Figure 3 and compared
extends up to September. The male proportion of fishes was with the present observation. Based on visual interpretation, it
recorded higher in 311–350 mm, 351–390 mm and 391– is perceptible that the present breeding phenology may likely
430 mm size groups and sex ratio was 1:0.8, 1:0.15 and 1:0.87, have changed from what existed during 1911–1981. On a
respectively. Remaining size groups of female fishes were deeper note, the breeding phenology of golden mahseer may
higher compared to male. The chi-square values ranged from likely have gone through two distinct steps of transformation
0.10 to 12.56. In stock, female fishes were higher compared to – (a) shifting and prolongation (1911–1981); (b) reduction and
male and sex ratio was 1:1.25 (male:female). The chi-square stabilization (1981–present). We hypothesize that the key
value was 3.20 and the difference was non-significant driver behind these changes are a synergy of both recruitment
(Table 2). The range of the physicochemical parameters of the overfishing and impact of climate change, with climate change
river Kosi at Ramnagar is depicted in Table 3. The water temp- being the most important factor.
erature varied from 18.4°C to 30.5°C. Maximum water tempera-
ture was observed in the month of May (30.5°C) and minimum
Regional climate change patterns
(18.4°C) during January. Dissolved oxygen was recorded in very
high concentration (6.6–14.46 mg/l). No free carbon dioxide The climate change pattern of lesser Himalayan regions in
was encountered. The other important parameters such as Uttarakhand, of which the present study is also a part has
TDS, conductivity, transparency, velocity, chloride, carbonate, been quantified recently (UAPCC 2014). Multi-decadal climate
bicarbonate and total alkalinity varied between 123.9 and data analysis from the weather station in Almora District (Uttar-
143.8 μs, 17.5 and 115 cm, 0.46 and 2.95 m/s, 11.25 and akhand), representative of the lesser Himalayan region (also
nearest to present study site), has revealed – (a) annual mean
air temperature has increased by 0.46°C in five decades
(1955–2007); (b) 23% less average annual rainfall each decade
(1955–2007); and (c) monsoon-peak shifted from July to
August. Furthermore, multiple variants of recent climate simu-
lation models have unanimously predicted the future climate

Table 3. Physicochemical characteristic of the Kosi river water.

Water parameters Kosi river
Air temperature (°C) 24.1–37.0
Water temperature (°C) 18.4–30.5
Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 6.6–14.46
Total dissolved solids (ppm) 123.9–143.8
Conductivity (µs) 217.5–252
pH 7.7–8.05
Transparency (cm) 17.5–115
Velocity (m/s) 0.46–2.95
Depth (cm) 45–215
Chloride (mg/l) 11.25–11.36
Carbonate (mg/l) 8–19
Bicarbonate (mg/l) 105–118
Figure 2. Bivariate regression relationship between total body length and
Total alkalinity (mg/l) 110–133
absolute fecundity of T. putitora from River Kosi (Lesser Himalayan region).
1292 K. D. JOSHI ET AL.

than the present stock from lesser Himalayan region (Nautiyal

and Lal 1988; Nautiyal 1994). In the present study, a mild but
significant relationship between total body length and absolute
fecundity may be due to the presence of higher number of eggs
(more packed ovaries) in better conditioned females than in
larger females; probable influence of condition factor exists
besides the variable ‘length’ – not tested in the present study.
This interference of fitness (condition factor) in determining
egg production of females has been discussed in Jorgensen
et al. (2006). Fecundity has significance in population assess-
ment, recruitment success and hatchery production of a
Figure 3. Chronogram of reported breeding season of Golden Mahseer T. putitora
species (Mayank et al. 2016). The sex ratios have their own sig-
from Uttarakhand region, India (cited references provided in the references list). nificance for they are helpful in detecting differential fishing, if
any, in different periods of the year in the various size groups
and thus the abundance of the sex at a time or throughout
scenario of the region. The annual mean air temperature has the year. In the present study, the slightly skewed population
been forecast to increase from 0.9°C ± 0.6°C to 0.6°C ± 0.7°C in favouring abundance of females over males (overall sex ratio
the 2030s. Seasonal air temperatures have also been forecasted irrespective of size groups: 1.25 females per male) was found
to rise in all seasons except during winter. There is likely to be to be statistically insignificant. This has also been reported
an increase in the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) in many before from golden mahseer population(s) of greater Himala-
parts, thereby indicating that in the 2030s, most places in this yan belt; reports from lesser Himalayan region do not exist for
region are likely to remain under a high temperature stress. In any plausible comparison. For example, Nautiyal (1994)
terms of precipitation, annual rainfall may increase from 60 to reported that female ratio was higher than the males of Tor puti-
206 mm in the 2030s and may vary between 1268 ± tora in the Alaknanda and Nayar rivers during the spawning
225.2 mm and 1604 ± 175.2 mm. All seasons in the region are season attributed to difference in the time of ripening. This
forecasted to have an increased rainfall, with the maximum was also reported by Pathani (1994) in Golden mahseers from
increase (+12 mm) during monsoon months (June, July, the Kumaun Lakes of Uttarakhand. Examination of sex ratio in
August and September) i.e. breeding season of golden mah- T. putitora in the Ganga river (near Hardwar) revealed that
seers. However, the future peak of monsoon may shift from males were predominant in the lower size and age classes
August to September. and in most of the months, while females in the higher size
classes and in winter (Bhatt et al. 2004). In general, male
mahseer remain higher compared to female in immature
Discussion stock while higher female in mature stock (Pathak et al. 2014;
Mayank et al. 2016). The recorded size ranges of males (310–
Reproductive biology and habitat quality
565 mm, 355–1750 gm) and females (315–580 mm, 260–
Reproductive processes in fishes are controlled by endo and 2500 gm) from River Kosi in the present study were higher
exogenous aspects; endogenous aspects are represented by than the earlier reports from Himalayan foothills (Zafar et al.
hormonal metabolism and exogenous by environmental 2002; Langer et al. 2013) and lesser Himalayan region (Naeem
factors, which are seasonally variable. Fish species need – et al. 2011; Patiyal et al. 2014). Interestingly, the maximum
specific environmental conditions during the reproductive total body length reported by Naeem et al. (2011) for females
period to guarantee the growth and survival of offspring (Jor- (402 mm) and Patiyal et al. (2014) for pooled sex (wild:
gensen et al. 2006). Among reproductive traits, the gonadoso- 452 mm, farmed: 547 mm) had close resemblance with the
matic index (GSI) is widely used by biologists to indicate the present study.
maturity and periodicity of spawning and predicting the breed- The water quality of Ganga river system, of which River Kosi
ing season of a fish. The GSI values are directly proportional to forms a northern tributary, dramatically alters, yet remains
the stage of maturity (Nautiyal 2011). Similar results on annual favourable for hardy and exotic species (Tiwari et al. 2016;
GSI pattern were observed for T. putitora by Arjamand et al. Dwivedi et al. 2017). The habitat quality of River Kosi as
(2013) and in other cyprinids by Alam and Pathak (2010) from observed during the present study is listed in Table 3. Since
India. According to Nautiyal and Lal (1985), fecundity varied golden mahseers were present almost round the year in the
from 26,998 to 98,583 in the weight range of 3500–23000 gm. studied river stretch, it may be assumed that the range of
The higher fecundity was observed by Pathani (1981) in the recorded habitat parameters is well within the tolerance limits
same fish which ranged from 7108 to 18,486 and total of the species i.e. comfortable for T. putitora. Sharma et al.
lengths ranged from 33.90 to 51.70 cm. The mean value of (2015) reported that among all the environmental parameters,
absolute fecundity was estimated at 5566 eggs for fishes with water temperature has the most influential effect on GSI of
mean total body length of 395 mm and mean body weight of either sex of Golden mahseer; ambient water temperature for
455 gm from a Mahseer hatchery in Jammu and Kashmir, breeding is usually 18–22°C (Sharma et al. 2014). The prime
India (Arjamand et al. 2013). The fecundity of large size fishes importance of water temperature in influencing GSI values of
is linearly related to total length of fish. The Golden mahseer other coldwater fish species (Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus
stocks of Garhwal hill region usually exhibit lower fecundity mykiss 4.5–20.5°C optimum; Snow trout Schizothorax
 JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 1293

richardsonii 18–20°C) in Himalayan region has also been regarding a ‘reduction and stabilization’ phase of the breeding
reported (Sharma et al. 2014). The parameter following water phenology over the recent decade which appeared following
temperature that has influence on breeding is rainfall (Sharma our historical data analysis (Figure 3). Further studies replicated
et al. 2014), through manifestation into other water quality par- periodically (in 5/10 years) are required to validate the present
ameters probably by bringing sudden change. Further research findings, assumption and/or speculations, important for such a
is required to estimate environmental and biological breeding ‘conservation-priority’ species.
thresholds of T. putitora for a better understanding of climato- To conclude, the species seems to have been continuously
hydrological control on natural breeding (Sarkar et al. 2017, adapting to changing climate which further signifies the fact
2018; Karnatak et al. 2018). that anthropogenic stresses are to be kept minimal if they
must be given a chance for successful replenishment of dwind-
ling natural stocks. Conservation of wild population is not only
Changes in breeding phenology and regional climate
important for sustainable fishery but also it plays important role
change patterns
in National development. This study has provided baseline
Stenothermal Coldwater fishes like golden mahseer presumably information about the variation of reproductive potential of
have narrower thermal and flow (precipitation) windows within T. putitora with climatic implications in natural habitat and
which they attain sexual maturity and spawn, most susceptible results described have important implications for sustainable
to negative impacts of climate change (Whitney et al. 2016). On fishery management and conservation programmes. Mahseer,
the other hand, implications of warming climate and changing which is the most promising fish of the State, can be protected
precipitation pattern are more readily realized in upland cold and conserved through development of strong biological data-
regions (IPCC 2014). There are ample evidences that coldwater base of fish in the changing climatic scenario with concerted
fish species often respond to changing climate by adjusting efforts from all the concerned stakeholders.
their breeding phenology – a form of evolutionary adaptation
to ensure survival of the species (reviewed in Lynch et al.
2016). In the Indian scenario, region-specific adaptation in
Acknowledgement
reproductive phenology based on local trends of changing The authors are thankful to the Director, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries
climate along River Ganga has already been suspected and Research Institute, Barrackpore. All procedures performed in studies invol-
ving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution
documented for some fishes (Sharma et al. 2015; CIFRI 2016a).
or practice at which the studies were conducted.
Additionally, an advancement of breeding season in Indian
major carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala) by 2–
3 months, decrease in age at first maturity in female Rainbow Disclosure statement
trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (from 3+ years to 2+ years) and No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
reduction in length at first maturity of female Tenualosa ilisha
(30.9 cm from 34.1 cm) have been documented from Indian
waters (Sharma et al. 2015). Although it appears there may Funding
have been a reduction in duration of breeding season and The financial help of ICAR-CRIDA for funding in the project National Inno-
shift (delay) in onset of breeding in Golden mahseer population vations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is also gratefully
of Uttarakhand region, some stabilization in breeding phenol- acknowledged.
ogy appears to have been attained since 2000s as well. This
might be due to phenotypic plasticity (reproductive) already
present within the species that aided in adapting to changing
ORCID
climate over generations of natural selection; a hypothesis Koushik Roy http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7205-9034
worth investigating. Whether the stabilized breeding season
of golden mahseers in Uttarakhand region is presumably
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