Icthyological assessment of fish diversity and conservation status in Tiau River, Mizoram, India

Mizoram, a state in northeastern India, is characterized by a rich diversity of freshwater fish species, attributed to its unique geographical location and varied aquatic habitats. This study aims to evaluate the fish diversity in selected study sites across Tiau river of Mizoram and assess the conservation status of the recorded species based on the IUCN Red List (2024). A total of 22 species were documented, spanning 17 genera. The conservation assessment revealed a range of statuses from Least Concern (LC) to Near Threatened (NT), with several species yet to be evaluated (NE) or lacking sufficient data (DD). The river's ecosystem is healthy and balanced, with high species diversity and low dominance among its 22 fish species. The Simpson’s Index (0.056) and Shannon–Wiener Index (H = 2.991) indicate strong biodiversity, while the evenness (E = 0.968) shows that species are well-distributed, making the ecosystem stable and resilient to changes. The findings underscore the necessity for targeted conservation strategies and continuous monitoring to safeguard the ichthyofaunal diversity of the region.